0000000000682933
AUTHOR
Vesa Lepola
Muscle-tendon interaction and elastic energy usage in human walking
The present study was designed to explore how the interaction between the fascicles and tendinous tissues is involved in storage and utilization of elastic energy during human walking. Eight male subjects walked with a natural cadence (1.4 ± 0.1 m/s) on a 10-m-long force plate system. In vivo techniques were employed to record the Achilles tendon force and to scan real-time fascicle lengths for two muscles (medial gastrocnemius and soleus). The results showed that tendinous tissues of both medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles lengthened slowly throughout the single-stance phase and then recoiled rapidly close to the end of the ground contact. However, the fascicle length changes demonstr…
In vivo muscle mechanics during normal locomotion is dependent on movement amplitude and contraction intensity
The effects of movement amplitude and contraction intensity on triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle function were studied during repetitive hopping. In vivo forces from Achilles and patellar tendons were recorded with the optic fibre technique from eight volunteers. The performances were filmed (200 Hz) to determine changes in muscle-tendon unit length and velocity. When hopping with a small amplitude (23° knee flexion during the ground contact phase), the Achilles tendon was primarily loaded whereas patellar tendon forces were greater in large-amplitude hopping (56° knee flexion). In spite of the different magnitudes of stretch in the quadriceps femoris muscle, the stretching veloci…
In vivo triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle function in a squat jump and counter movement jump
An optic fibre method was used to measure in humans in vivo Achilles (ATF) and patellar tendon forces (PTF) during submaximal squat jumps (SJ) and counter movement jumps (CMJ). Normal two-legged jumps on a force plate and one-legged jumps on a sledge apparatus were made by four volunteers. Kinetics, kinematics, and muscle activity from seven muscles were recorded. The loading patterns of the tendomuscular system differed among the jumping conditions, but were similar when the jumping height was varied. Peak PTF were greater than ATF in each condition. In contrast to earlier simulation studies it was observed that tendomuscular force could continue to increase during the shortening of muscle…
Loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic subjects with knee osteoarthritis: importance of quadriceps femoris in reducing impact force during heel strike?
Repetitive impulsive forces during walking are claimed to result in joint osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate impact loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic elderly subjects with knee OA. It was hypothesised that pre-activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QF) would be an important factor reducing impulsive loading when walking on level ground. Subjects [21 female, six men, 66.2 (7.6) years] were studied. The subjects had no knee pain or diminished functional capacity, but showed radiographically light or moderate bilateral knee OA changes. Ground reaction forces (GRFs), plantar pressure distribution, muscle activation pattern [v…
In vivo muscle mechanics during locomotion depend on movement amplitude and contraction intensity
The effects of movement amplitude and contraction intensity on triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle function were studied during repetitive hopping. In vivo forces from Achilles and patellar tendons were recorded with the optic fibre technique from eight volunteers. The performances were filmed (200 Hz) to determine changes in muscle-tendon unit length and velocity. When hopping with a small amplitude (23 degrees knee flexion during the ground contact phase), the Achilles tendon was primarily loaded whereas patellar tendon forces were greater in large-amplitude hopping (56 degrees knee flexion). In spite of the different magnitudes of stretch in the quadriceps femoris muscle, the str…
In vivo human triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle function in a squat jump and counter movement jump
An optic fibre method was used to measure in humans in vivo Achilles (ATF) and patellar tendon forces (PTF) during submaximal squat jumps (SJ) and counter movement jumps (CMJ). Normal two-legged jumps on a force plate and one-legged jumps on a sledge apparatus were made by four volunteers. Kinetics, kinematics, and muscle activity from seven muscles were recorded. The loading patterns of the tendomuscular system differed among the jumping conditions, but were similar when the jumping height was varied. Peak PTF were greater than ATF in each condition. In contrast to earlier simulation studies it was observed that tendomuscular force could continue to increase during the shortening of muscle…
Comparison of force-velocity relationships of vastus lateralis muscle in isokinetic and in stretch-shortening cycle exercises
Aim: This study investigated the force–velocity characteristics of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fascicle and muscle–tendon unit (MTU) in isolated lengthening and shortening actions, and during natural movement. Methods: Four subjects performed maximal eccentric and concentric knee extensions (60, 120 and 180° s−1). Unilateral counter movement jumps and drop jumps in the sledge apparatus served as natural movements. Vastus lateralis fascicle lengths were determined from ultrasonography. In vivo patellar tendon forces (PTF) were measured with an optic fibre technique. Patellar tendon force was derived to VL force according to the cross-sectional area of the muscle. Force in the directio…