The Debate Continues: VMO Isolation

A new discussion was started recently on LinkedIn about a newly published study regarding VMO and VML isolation. Several months ago, we performed a literature review on the topic of VMO isolation that showed somewhat limited evidence on the topic. This new study repeats some of the common issues we previously discussed. For example, the authors argue that different histological characteristics and nerve supply show the ability to specifically train the VMO. While there are different fiber orientations, types, and amounts throughout the muscle, no one has been able to separate the VMO and VML without destroying the muscle fibers, making it hard to say they are separate muscles.

In regards to the nerve supply, the "nerves" often proclaimed as supplying the VMO or VML have been shown to be partitions of the femoral nerve to supply distal motor units, sensory nerves of the saphenous nerve, or nerve supply for the knee capsule. Additionally, let's take a look at the claimed function of the VMO: medial patellar tracking. No one has ever been able to demonstrate isolated medial patellar tracking. Many of the studies cited in this article are outdated. We are not disagreeing with the fact that different parts of the muscle have different proportions of fiber types, but we cannot come to the same conclusion of the significance of these findings. What are your thoughts on this recent article?