Search results for "contraction"

Does ankle joint power reflect type of muscle action of soleus and gastrocnemius during walking in cats and humans?

2013

The main objective of this paper is to highlight the difficulties of identifying shortening and lengthening contractions based on analysis of power produced by resultant joint moments. For that purpose, we present net ankle joint powers and muscle fascicle/muscle-tendon unit (MTU) velocities for medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SO) muscles during walking in species of different size (humans and cats). For the cat, patterns of ankle joint power and MTU velocity of MG and SO during stance were similar: negative power (ankle moment×angular velocity<0), indicating absorption of mechanical energy, was associated with MTU lengthening, and positive power (generation of mechanical energy) w…

Slower Walking Speed in Older Men Improves Triceps Surae Force Generation Ability

2016

Purpose \ud Older adults walk slower than young adults, but it is not known why. Previous research suggests that ankle plantarflexors may have a crucial role in the reduction of walking speed. The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related differences in triceps surae muscle–tendon function during walking to further investigate the role of plantarflexors in the age-related reduction of walking speed.\ud \ud Methods \ud Medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscle fascicle lengths were measured using ultrasound imaging during walking from 13 young (25 ± 4 yr) men at preferred walking speed and from 13 older (73 ± 5 yr) men at preferred speed and at the young men’s preferred speed. Muscle…

Muscle fascicle stretch velocity in relation to stretch reflex activation at different contraction levels in human triceps surae

2009

Comparison of force-velocity relationships of vastus lateralis muscle in isokinetic and in stretch-shortening cycle exercises

2003

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…

Muscle fascicle and tendon behavior during human locomotion revisited.

2008

High-speed ultrasonography has revealed that, in human locomotion, the nature of fascicle and tendon length changes varies depending on the task, contraction intensity, and the muscles involved. The findings emphasize that the active fascicles of the gastrocnemius muscle are suddenly stretched, although they are shortening. This short-lasting stretch triggers the stretch reflex, timing of which is dependent on running speed.

Different intracellular cation-content present in right and left ventricle dependent on varying extracellular Ca2+-concentrations.

1979

Abstract The different intracellular cation-contents present in the right and left ventricle depend on varying Ca2+-concentrations. The effect of extracellular Ca2+-concentrations varied within the physiological range has been studied on an isolated guinea pig heart preparation, showing excellent stable experimental conditions. By increasing the extracellular Ca2+-concentration from 0.45 m m to 3.6 m m the tissue contents of calcium and potassium were increased dependent on [Ca]e whereas that of Na was reduced. This was due to a change in the composition of the intracellular cations as the extracellular space (inulin) and water-content of the heart muscle tissue were not influenced by incre…

Dépendance de la fatigue à la longueur musculaire : approche mécanique et neurophysiologique

2006

The objective of this work is to evaluate the fatigue dependency on the knee extensor muscles length. Exercises varying the type of contraction (isometric and eccentric) and intensity of contraction (maximal and sub-maximal) are performed in order to disrupt the neuromuscular system by different factors of fatigue: central and peripheral. These exercises are performed at two muscular lengths (S and L, corresponding respectively to 40 and 100° of knee flexion). Neuromuscular parameters (maximal torque, muscular twitch, voluntary activation level, electromyographic activity, etc.) are analyzed in pre- and post-fatigue conditions in the type of contraction required by the fatiguing exercise. I…

Relaxant effects of flavonoids on the mouse isolated stomach: structure-activity relationships.

2008

Flavonoids are a large heterogeneous group of benzo-gamma-pyrone derivatives, which are abundantly present in our diet. In this study we investigated the effects of six flavonoids (apigenin, genistein, quercetin, rutin, naringenin and catechin) on the gastric tone in mouse isolated stomach. The mechanical activity was recorded as changes of intraluminal pressure. All flavonoids tested produced a concentration-dependent relaxation, which was reversible after washout. The relative order of potency of the flavonoids was apigenin> or =genistein>quercetin>naringenin> or =rutin>catechin. Analysis of the chemical structure showed that the relaxant activity was progressively diminished by the prese…

The avian oesophageal motor function and its nervous control: some physiological, pharmacological and comparative aspects.

1991

1. This paper deals with the avian oesophageal motor function and it attempts to draw some comparative aspects between neural regulation of the avian and mammalian oesophagus. 2. Different from the mammalian oesophagus, the avian oesophagus, presents at rest electrical activity associated to spontaneous contractions. 3. Swallowing elicits peristaltic contraction, characterized by an inhibitory and an excitatory component. 4. Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurons are responsible for the inhibitory component. 5. Contrarily to what observed in mammals, where the peripheral mechanism are important for the peristaltic sequence, the primary peristaltism of birds seems to be entirely mediated by…

Coordination and Integration of Metabolism in Insect Flight*

1997

Abstract Insect flight is the most energy-demanding activity of animals. It requires the coordination and cooperation of many tissues, with the nervous system and neurohormones controlling the performance and energy metabolism of muscles, and of the fat body, ensuring that the muscles and nerves are supplied with essential fuels throughout flight. Muscle metabolism can be based on several different fuels, the proportions of which vary according to the insect species and the stage in flight activity. Octopamine, which acts as neurotransmitter, neuromodulator or neurohormone in insects, has a central role in flight. It is present in brain, ventral ganglia and nerves, supplying peripheral tiss…