Medial Gastrocnemius Architectural Properties During Isometric Contractions in Boys and Men

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros Kannas ◽  
Eleftherios Kellis ◽  
Fotini Arampatzi ◽  
Eduardo Saez Saez de Villarreal
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Isometric Efforts

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in muscle architecture during isometric tests between children and adults. Eight boys (age= 11.2 ± 0.26 years) and eight men (age= 22.3 ± 2.01 years) performed plantar flexion isometric efforts at angles of -15°, 0°, 15° at 0%, 40%, 60%, 80% of MVC. Analysis of variance tests indicated that adults showed greater fascicle length from rest to 80% of MVC (p < .05), greater pennation angle at 80% and 100% of MVC (p < .05) and greater aponeuroses displacement at levels of effort greater than 60% of MVC (p < .05). These differences observed in MG would appear to favor better utilization of the force-length and the force-velocity relationships, of the muscle in adults compared with children.

Association of Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness With Passive Ankle Joint Stiffness and Sex-Related Difference in the Joint Stiffness

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Chino ◽  
Hideyuki Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Related Difference

Passive ankle joint stiffness is affected by all structures located within and over the joint, and is greater in men than in women. Localized muscle stiffness can be assessed by ultrasound shear wave elastography, and muscle architecture such as fascicle length and pennation angle can be measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Thus, the authors assessed localized muscle stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) with consideration of individual variability in the muscle architecture, and examined the association of the muscle stiffness with passive ankle joint stiffness and the sex-related difference in the joint stiffness. Localized muscle stiffness of the MG in 16 men and 17 women was assessed at 10° and 20° plantar flexion, neutral anatomical position, and 10° and 20° dorsiflexion. Fascicle length and pennation angle of the MG were measured at these joint positions. Passive ankle joint stiffness was determined by the ankle joint angle–torque relationship. Localized MG muscle stiffness was not significantly correlated with passive ankle joint stiffness, and did not show significant sex-related difference, even when considering the muscle architecture. This finding suggests that muscle stiffness of the MG would not be a prominent factor in determining passive ankle joint stiffness and the sex-related difference in the joint stiffness.

Effects of the Functional Heel Drop Exercise on the Muscle Architecture of the Gastrocnemius

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1053-1059
Author(s):  
Diego Alonso-Fernandez ◽  
Yaiza Taboada-Iglesias ◽  
Tania García-Remeseiro ◽  
Águeda Gutiérrez-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Architectural Characteristics ◽  
Induced Changes

Context: The architectural characteristics of a muscle determine its function. Objective: To determine the architectural adaptations of the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles after a functional eccentric strength training protocol consisting of heel drop exercises, followed by a subsequent detraining period. Design: Pretest and posttest. Setting: Training rooms and laboratory. Participants: The participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 20). Interventions: The 13-week intervention included participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an EG (n = 25) and a CG (n = 20). The EG performed a week of control and training, 8 weeks of eccentric training, and 4 weeks of detraining. The CG did not perform any type of muscular training. The architectural characteristics of the LG and MG muscles were evaluated at rest in both groups using 2-D ultrasound before (pretest–week 1) and after (posttest–week 9) the training, and at the end of the detraining period (retest–week 13). Main Outcome Measures: One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine training-induced changes in each of the variables of the muscle architecture. Results: After the training period, the members of the EG experienced a significant increase in the fascicle length of LG (t = −9.85, d = 2.78, P < .001) and MG (t = −8.98, d = 2.54, P < .001), muscle thickness (t = −6.71, d = 2.86, P < .001) and (t = −7.85, d = 2.22, P < .001), and the pennation angle (t = −10.21, d = 1.88, P < .05) and (t = −1.87, d = 0.53, P < .05), respectively. After the detraining period, fascicle length, muscle thickness, and pennation angle showed a significant decrease. In the CG, no significant changes were observed in any of the variables. Conclusions: The heel drop exercise seems to generate adaptations in the architectural conditions of LG and MG, which are also reversible after a detraining period. These results may have practical implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The relative lengthening of the myotendinous structures in the medial gastrocnemius during passive stretching differs among individuals

2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverine Abellaneda ◽  
Nathalie Guissard ◽  
Jacques Duchateau
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Passive Stretching ◽  
Muscle Stretching ◽  
Passive Torque

The increase in passive torque during muscle stretching may constrain the range of motion of a joint. As passive torque can vary substantially among individuals, the present study examined whether the relative lengthening of the myotendinous structures of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) during passive stretching differs among individuals. Sixteen subjects performed passive stretching of the plantar flexor muscles from ankle angles ranging from 10° plantar flexion (−10°) to 30° dorsiflexion (+30°). Changes in passive torque, muscle architecture (fascicle length and pennation angle) of the MG and electromyographic activity of MG and soleus were recorded. The results showed that passive torque produced by the plantar flexors increased exponentially ( r2 = 0.99; P < 0.001) with ankle dorsiflexion, whereas MG fascicle length increased linearly from 57.6 ± 9.1 to 80.5 ± 10.3 mm ( P < 0.001), and pennation angle decreased linearly from 21.2 ± 4.2 to 14.4 ± 3.1° ( P < 0.001) when the ankle joint angle was moved from −10° to +30°. The relative contribution of muscle (fascicles and aponeuroses) and tendon elongation to the change in length of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) at 30° dorsiflexion was 71.8 and 28.2%, respectively. However, the adjustment differed across individuals during MTU lengthening; in subjects (62.5%) with small, passive stiffness, the elongation of the free tendon was less and that of the fascicles larger than for subjects (37.5%) with greater stiffness. In conclusion, the results indicate that the strain of muscle and tendon varies among individuals, and difference in the relative compliance of these structures influences MTU lengthening differently during passive stretching.

Associations of the Force-velocity Profile with Isometric Strength and Neuromuscular Factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (13) ◽  
pp. 984-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Morales-Artacho ◽  
Amador Ramos ◽  
Alejandro Pérez-Castilla ◽  
Paulino Padial ◽  
Javier Argüelles-Cienfuegos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Isometric Strength ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Force Velocity ◽  
Isometric Torque

AbstractWe aimed to explore relationships between the force-velocity (FV) profile and the isometric muscle torque performance during a knee extension task. The FV profile (force-intercept [F0], velocity-intercept [V0], maximum power [Pmax], and FV slope) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) exercise and isometric maximum voluntary torque (MVIC) and explosive voluntary torque production were assessed in 43 participants. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded during the isometric assessments and resting muscle architecture measurements were also performed (quadriceps thickness, vastus lateralis pennation angle and fascicle length). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to assess bivariate relationships between the FV profile, isometric torque, EMG activation and muscle architecture. F0 predictions from neuromuscular measurements were assessed through multiple linear regression. Associations of F0 and Pmax with isometric torque increased from explosive to MVIC torque (r≥0.47; P<0.05). Significant associations were found between muscle architecture and F0 and Pmax (r≥0.69; P<0.05), while V0 and FV slope were unrelated (r≤0.27; P>0.05). Quadriceps thickness and VL pennation angle explained ~62% of F0 variance. In conclusion, the knee extensors maximal isometric strength and their morphological architecture are strongly related to F0 estimated from a CMJ FV profile test.

Nonisometric behavior of fascicles during isometric contractions of a human muscle

1998 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 1230-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masamitsu Ito ◽  
Yasuo Kawakami ◽  
Yoshiho Ichinose ◽  
Senshi Fukashiro ◽  
Tetsuo Fukunaga
Keyword(s):  
Young’S Modulus ◽  
Joint Angle ◽  
Young's Modulus ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Human Muscle ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Tendon Elongation

Fascicle length, pennation angle, and tendon elongation of the human tibialis anterior were measured in vivo by ultrasonography. Subjects ( n = 9) were requested to develop isometric dorsiflexion torque gradually up to maximal at the ankle joint angle of 20° plantarflexion from the anatomic position. Fascicle length shortened from 90 ± 7 to 76 ± 7 (SE) mm, pennation angle increased from 10 ± 1 to 12 ± 1°, and tendon elongation increased up to 15 ± 2 mm with graded force development up to maximum. The tendon stiffness increased with increasing tendon force from 10 N/mm at 0–20 N to 32 N/mm at 240–260 N. Young’s modulus increased from 157 MPa at 0–20 N to 530 MPa at 240–260 N. It can be concluded that, in isometric contractions of a human muscle, mechanical work, some of which is absorbed by the tendinous tissue, is generated by the shortening of muscle fibers and that ultrasonography can be used to determine the stiffness and Young’s modulus for human tendons.

Plantar Flexor Muscle Architecture Changes as a Result of Eccentric Exercise in Patients With Achilles Tendinosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Crill ◽  
Gregory Berlet ◽  
Christopher Hyer
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Muscle Architecture ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Eccentric Training ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Achilles Tendinosis ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
Maximal Load

Eccentric training for Achilles tendinosis (AT) has been reported to significantly improve patient symptoms. There has been no biomechanical explanation on the mechanism for specific rehabilitation technique. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in muscle architecture that occurred as a result of Achilles tendinosis injury and a subsequent eccentric rehabilitation program. Twenty-five patients (age, 53.3 ± 17.5 years) diagnosed with AT participated in 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Specific exercises for the ankle plantar flexors consisted of maximal load eccentric muscle action using 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Patients also completed a protocol for AT, which consisting of traditional rehabilitation. Medial gastrocnemius (GM) and lateral gastrocnemius (GL) muscle fascicle length and thickness were measured with ultrasound at 2-week intervals from initial treatment day to the end of 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Medial gastrocnemius fascicle length increased (45.1 ± 10.5 mm to 51.4 ± 10.5 mm; P = .22) between the initial day of rehabilitation and after 6 weeks of rehabilitation. But, GM thickness (16.3 ± 3.5 mm to 16.8 ± 2.0 mm), GL fascicle length (47.2 ± 10.0 mm to 47.1 ± 7.4 mm), and GL thickness (14.9 ± 5.2 mm to 14.4 ± 2.7 mm) did not change as a result of rehabilitation. A 6-week eccentric-biased exercise increased the GM muscle fascicle length by 12%, but GM thickness, GL fascicle length, and GL thickness did not change as a result of rehabilitation. Eccentric training for the treatment of AT is well recognized, but the mechanism of action has not been previously reported. A 6-week eccentric training protocol increased the GM muscle fascicle length by 12%, and this correlated with improvement in a validated patient outcome scoring system. Further study is warranted to determine a predictive relationship between improvement of GM fascicle length and outcome scores. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series

scholarly journals Quantifying Topographical Changes in Muscle Activation: A Statistical Parametric Mapping Approach

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Patricio A. Pincheira ◽  
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes ◽  
Carlos De la Fuente ◽  
Felipe Palma ◽  
Oscar Valencia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Parametric Mapping ◽  
Repeated Measures Anova

Regional changes in muscle activation occur at different contraction intensities. These changes can be observed with activity maps created with high-density electromyography (HDEMG). When quantifying these changes, statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is a neuroimaging technique that may be used to perform statistical analyses with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The aim of this study was to identify regional changes in muscle activation at different contraction intensities, comparing SPM and the HDEMG barycenter (centroid). Twelve participants performed plantar flexion isometric contractions at 20%, 40%, and 60% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), while HDEMG was recorded from the medial gastrocnemius. An SPM repeated measures ANOVA design revealed specific mediolateral and cephalocaudal changes in muscle activation with increasing contraction intensities, which were not clearly detected by the variation in the barycenter coordinates. Only SPM revealed statistically significant nonuniform changes in EMG amplitude between all increasing levels of muscle activation.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional geometrical changes of the human tibialis anterior muscle and its central aponeurosis measured with three-dimensional ultrasound during isometric contractions

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent J. Raiteri ◽  
Andrew G. Cresswell ◽  
Glen A. Lichtwark
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Human Muscle ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shape Changes

Background.Muscles not only shorten during contraction to perform mechanical work, but they also bulge radially because of the isovolumetric constraint on muscle fibres. Muscle bulging may have important implications for muscle performance, however quantifying three-dimensional (3D) muscle shape changes in human muscle is problematic because of difficulties with sustaining contractions for the duration of anin vivoscan. Although two-dimensional ultrasound imaging is useful for measuring local muscle deformations, assumptions must be made about global muscle shape changes, which could lead to errors in fully understanding the mechanical behaviour of muscle and its surrounding connective tissues, such as aponeurosis. Therefore, the aims of this investigation were (a) to determine the intra-session reliability of a novel 3D ultrasound (3DUS) imaging method for measuringin vivohuman muscle and aponeurosis deformations and (b) to examine how contraction intensity influencesin vivohuman muscle and aponeurosis strains during isometric contractions.Methods.Participants (n= 12) were seated in a reclined position with their left knee extended and ankle at 90° and performed isometric dorsiflexion contractions up to 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. 3DUS scans of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle belly were performed during the contractions and at rest to assess muscle volume, muscle length, muscle cross-sectional area, muscle thickness and width, fascicle length and pennation angle, and central aponeurosis width and length. The 3DUS scan involved synchronous B-mode ultrasound imaging and 3D motion capture of the position and orientation of the ultrasound transducer, while successive cross-sectional slices were captured by sweeping the transducer along the muscle.Results.3DUS was shown to be highly reliable across measures of muscle volume, muscle length, fascicle length and central aponeurosis length (ICC ≥ 0.98, CV < 1%). The TA remained isovolumetric across contraction conditions and progressively shortened along its line of action as contraction intensity increased. This caused the muscle to bulge centrally, predominantly in thickness, while muscle fascicles shortened and pennation angle increased as a function of contraction intensity. This resulted in central aponeurosis strains in both the transverse and longitudinal directions increasing with contraction intensity.Discussion.3DUS is a reliable and viable method for quantifying multidirectional muscle and aponeurosis strains during isometric contractions within the same session. Contracting muscle fibres do work in directions along and orthogonal to the muscle’s line of action and central aponeurosis length and width appear to be a function of muscle fascicle shortening and transverse expansion of the muscle fibres, which is dependent on contraction intensity. How factors other than muscle force change the elastic mechanical behaviour of the aponeurosis requires further investigation.

scholarly journals Differences in Plantar Flexor Fascicle Length and Pennation Angle between Healthy and Poststroke Individuals and Implications for Poststroke Plantar Flexor Force Contributions

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Ramsay ◽  
Thomas S. Buchanan ◽  
Jill S. Higginson
Keyword(s):  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Muscle Fascicle ◽  
The Individual

Poststroke plantar flexor muscle weakness has been attributed to muscle atrophy and impaired activation, which cannot collectively explain the limitations in force-generating capability of the entire muscle group. It is of interest whether changes in poststroke plantar flexor muscle fascicle length and pennation angle influence the individual force-generating capability and whether plantar flexor weakness is due to uniform changes in individual muscle force contributions. Fascicle lengths and pennation angles for the soleus, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius were measured using ultrasound and compared between ten hemiparetic poststroke subjects and ten healthy controls. Physiological cross-sectional areas and force contributions to poststroke plantar flexor torque were estimated for each muscle. No statistical differences were observed for any muscle fascicle lengths or for the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus pennation angles between paretic, nonparetic, and healthy limbs. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the paretic medial gastrocnemius pennation angle compared to both nonparetic and healthy limbs. Physiological cross-sectional areas and force contributions were smaller on the paretic side. Additionally, bilateral muscle contributions to plantar flexor torque remained the same. While the architecture of each individual plantar flexor muscle is affected differently after stroke, the relative contribution of each muscle remains the same.

scholarly journals Gastrocnemius muscle remodeling explains functional deficits three months following Achilles tendon rupture

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd J. Hullfish ◽  
Kathryn M. O’Connor ◽  
Josh R. Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Pennation Angle ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Functional Deficits ◽  
Muscle Remodeling

ABSTRACTPlantarflexor functional deficits are associated with poor outcomes in patients following Achilles tendon rupture. In this longitudinal study, we analyzed the fascicle length and pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius muscle and the length of the Achilles tendon using ultrasound imaging. To determine the relationship between muscle remodeling and functional deficits measured at 3 months after injury, we correlated the reduction in fascicle length and increase in pennation angle with peak torque measured during isometric plantarflexor contractions and peak power measured during isokinetic plantarflexor contractions. We found that the medial gastrocnemius underwent an immediate change in structure, characterized by decreased length and increased pennation of the muscle fascicles. This decrease in fascicle length was coupled with an increase in tendon length. These changes in muscle-tendon structure persisted throughout the first three months following rupture. Deficits in peak plantarflexor power were moderately correlated with decreased fascicle length at 120 degrees per second (R2= 0.424,P= 0.057) and strongly correlated with decreased fascicle length at 210 degrees per second (R2= 0.737,P= 0.003). However, increases in pennation angle did not explain functional deficits. These findings suggest that muscle-tendon structure is detrimentally affected following Achilles tendon rupture. Plantarflexor power deficits are positively correlated with the magnitude of reductions in fascicle length. Preserving muscle structure following Achilles tendon rupture should be a clinical priority to maintain patient function.

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