Contribution of Muscle Series Elasticity to Maximum Performance in Drop Jumping

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Böhm ◽  
Gerald K. Cole ◽  
Gert-Peter Brüggemann ◽  
Hanns Ruder

The contribution of muscle in-series compliance on maximum performance of the muscle tendon complex was investigated using a forward dynamic computer simulation. The model of the human body contains 8 Hill-type muscles of the lower extremities. Muscle activation is optimized as a function of time, so that maximum drop jump height is achieved by the model. It is shown that the muscle series elastic energy stored in the downward phase provides a considerable contribution (32%) to the total muscle energy in the push-off phase. Furthermore, by the return of stored elastic energy all muscle contractile elements can reduce their shortening velocity up to 63% during push-off to develop a higher force due to their force velocity properties. The additional stretch taken up by the muscle series elastic element allows only m. rectus femoris to work closer to its optimal length, due to its force length properties. Therefore the contribution of the series elastic element to muscle performance in maximum height drop jumping is to store and return energy, and at the same time to increase the force producing ability of the contractile elements during push-off.

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (6) ◽  
pp. C1598-C1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Luo ◽  
R. Cooke ◽  
E. Pate

Experimental data have indicated that during activation, the attachment of myosin to actin, measured by mechanical stiffness, precedes tension generation by 10-30 ms. Using computer simulation, we have investigated the effect of a series elastic element on the lag between stiffness and tension development during muscle activation. Two versions of the two-state cross-bridge model originally proposed by Huxley and a three-state model were considered. After simulated activation, stiffness and tension increased with rates that were strongly dependent on the series elastic strain. In the absence of a series elastic element, the rise in stiffness preceded, lagged, or was coincident with the increase in tension, depending on the model. For large elastic strains, tension lagged stiffness for all models. Lags of 10-30 ms could be obtained with elastic strains of 0.3-1% of the muscle length. This is a realistic value in experiments without sarcomere length servocontrol, suggesting that series elasticity may be an important contributor to the experimentally observed lag between tension and stiffness.


1967 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1139-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yorimi Matsumoto

Assuming a two component system for the muscle, a series elastic element and a contractile component, the analyses of the isotonic and isometric data points were related to obtain the series elastic stiffness, dP/dls, from the relation, See PDF for Equation From the isometric data, dP/dt was obtained and shortening velocity, v, was a result of the isotonic experiments. Substituting (P0 - P)/T for dP/dt and (P0 - P)/(P + a) times b for v, dP/dls = (P + a) /bT, where P < P0, and a, b are constants for any lengths l ≤ l0 (Matsumoto, 1965). If the isometric tension and the shortening velocity are recorded for a given muscle length, l0, although the series elastic, ls, and the contractile component, lc, are changing, the total muscle length, l0 remains fixed and therefore the time constant, T. Integrating, See PDF for Equation the stress-strain relation for the series elastic element, See PDF for Equation is obtained; lsc0 - ls + lc0where lco equals the contractile component length for a muscle exerting a tension of P0. For a given P/P0, ls is uniquely determined and must be the same whether on the isotonic or isometric length-tension-time curve. In fact, a locus on one surface curve can be associated with the corresponding locus on the other.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Richter ◽  
Bjoern Braunstein ◽  
Benjamin Staeudle ◽  
Julia Attias ◽  
Alexander Suess ◽  
...  

AbstractVigorous exercise countermeasures in microgravity can largely attenuate muscular degeneration, albeit the extent of applied loading is key for the extent of muscle wasting. Running on the International Space Station is usually performed with maximum loads of 70% body weight (0.7 g). However, it has not been investigated how the reduced musculoskeletal loading affects muscle and series elastic element dynamics, and thereby force and power generation. Therefore, this study examined the effects of running on the vertical treadmill facility, a ground-based analog, at simulated 0.7 g on gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior. The results reveal that fascicle−series elastic element behavior differs between simulated hypogravity and 1 g running. Whilst shorter peak series elastic element lengths at simulated 0.7 g appear to be the result of lower muscular and gravitational forces acting on it, increased fascicle lengths and decreased velocities could not be anticipated, but may inform the development of optimized running training in hypogravity. However, whether the alterations in contractile behavior precipitate musculoskeletal degeneration warrants further study.


1990 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Ettema ◽  
A. J. van Soest ◽  
P. A. Huijing

The influence of series elastic structures on the dynamics of the contractile machinery was examined in the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) of five male Wistar rats, with respect to enhancement of work of a muscle-tendon complex after active stretch. Imposed isotonic and isokinetic contractions were preceded by either an isometric phase (PI) or an active stretch (PS). The effects of fibre length differences at the onset of shortening, due to differences of extension of tendinous structures, were studied. For the isotonic experiments fibre length and shortening velocity were estimated 30 ms after release and compared with the PI length-velocity curve determined at the same force level. For shortening above the optimum length, about half of the enhanced shortening found after prestretch could be explained by PS-PI fibre length differences. Below the optimum length, PS shortening velocity was somewhat lower than expected on the basis of length-velocity characteristics. Enhancement of work output due to stretch was different for isokinetic and isotonic shortening. In isokinetic shortening, following prestretch, fibre work was limited because of enhanced shortening of the tendinous structures. In stretch-shortening cycles imposed on a muscle-tendon complex, the length of the complex affected all prestretch effects, i.e. potentiation of the contractile element, contractile element interaction with the tendinous structures, and elastic energy release. It is concluded that, besides potentiation effects and enhanced elastic energy release, the influence of series elastic structures on fibre dynamics determines active stretch-induced work enhancement. The contribution by these mechanisms to this work enhancement depends largely on the type of stretch-shortening cycle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Richter ◽  
Bjoern Braunstein ◽  
Benjamin Staeudle ◽  
Julia Attias ◽  
Alexander Suess ◽  
...  

Rehabilitative body weight supported gait training aims at restoring walking function as a key element in activities of daily living. Studies demonstrated reductions in muscle and joint forces, while kinematic gait patterns appear to be preserved with up to 30% weight support. However, the influence of body weight support on muscle architecture, with respect to fascicle and series elastic element behavior is unknown, despite this having potential clinical implications for gait retraining. Eight males (31.9 ± 4.7 years) walked at 75% of the speed at which they typically transition to running, with 0% and 30% body weight support on a lower-body positive pressure treadmill. Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle lengths and pennation angles were measured via ultrasonography. Additionally, joint kinematics were analyzed to determine gastrocnemius medialis muscle–tendon unit lengths, consisting of the muscle's contractile and series elastic elements. Series elastic element length was assessed using a muscle–tendon unit model. Depending on whether data were normally distributed, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine if body weight supported walking had any effects on joint kinematics and fascicle–series elastic element behavior. Walking with 30% body weight support had no statistically significant effect on joint kinematics and peak series elastic element length. Furthermore, at the time when peak series elastic element length was achieved, and on average across the entire stance phase, muscle–tendon unit length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and fascicle velocity were unchanged with respect to body weight support. In accordance with unchanged gait kinematics, preservation of fascicle–series elastic element behavior was observed during walking with 30% body weight support, which suggests transferability of gait patterns to subsequent unsupported walking.


Author(s):  
Tomoya NAKANISHI ◽  
Yasuyuki YAMADA ◽  
Taro NAKAMURA ◽  
Kenji KAWASHIMA

1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 803-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Schultz ◽  
J. A. Faulkner ◽  
V. A. Kadhiresan

The purpose of this study was to develop a model to predict the mechanical response of muscles during isometric tetanic, afterloaded isotonic and isovelocity shortening contractions. Two versions of the model were developed. Both incorporated a contractile element that obeyed a Hill force-velocity relationship and a series elastic element. In a quadratic spring version, the series elastic element force was represented as proportional to the square of the stretch; in a cubic spring version, it was represented as proportional to the cube of the stretch. Both versions provided closed-form equations for response predictions that involved four independent parameters. Once the four parameters were chosen, each of these responses could be predicted. Model validity was established by comparing predicted and observed responses in slow and fast hindlimb muscles of rodents. Significant model-predicted responses seldom differed by more than 15% from experimental values. The model can provide insights into how changes in individual properties affect the overall mechanical behavior of muscles in a variety of circumstances and reduce the need for collection of experimental data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 065004
Author(s):  
Hyung-Tae Seo ◽  
Ji-il Park ◽  
Jihyuk Park

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