In vivo muscle mechanics during human locomotion : fascicle-tendinous tissue interaction during stretch-shortening cycle exercises

Masaki Ishikawan tutkimuksessa selvitettiin, kuinka lihasten ja jännerakenteiden yhteistoiminta hyödyntää elastista energiaa ihmisen liikkumisessa. Ulomman reisilihaksen ja kolmipäisen pohjelihaksen lihassolujen ja jännerakenteiden pituuden muutoksia tarkasteltiin liikkeiden aikana ultraäänitekniikalla yhdessä ainutlaatuisen jänteen voimaa mittaavan optisen kuituanturin kanssa.The present series of studies were designed to examine how the interaction between muscle fibers and tendinous tissues (TT) were modulated for effective utilization of elastic energy during stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises. By combining the in vivo direct recordings of tendon force with fascicle length changes by the ultrasonic techniques, the in vivo behavior of the vastus lateralis and triceps surae muscle groups was examined in several different intensity drop jumps as well as in walking and jogging. In addition, the in vivo architectural changes of fascicle-TT due to the exhausting SSC-induced fatigue were studied. The results suggest that there is intensity specific fascicle-TT interaction in the process of elastic energy utilization during SSC exercises. This intensity specificity is related to the fascicle stiffness operating to influence the power enhancement during the push-off phase of the SSC exercises. However, the efficacy of elastic recoil of TT can be limited by the drop intensity and /or contact time. In addition, the fascicles in the bi-articular (medial gastrocnemius; MG) muscle cannot necessarily show the SSC behavior in the same way as in the mono-articular muscles (VL). In comparison of the fascicle-tendon interaction between walking and jogging, the spring-like bouncing as in jogging and the catapult action as in walking were observed in the TT behavior. The process of the TT stretch-recoil can thus be different between these activities. This fascicle behavior can consequently be modified depending on the movement pattern to utilize the elasticity of TT effectively.After exhausting SSC fatigue, the time course of changes in the muscle thickness and fascicle length of the soleus muscle did not follow the biphasic pattern of changes in mechanical parameters. It can be suggested that the performance recovery after acute performance reduction can be related to the metabolic effect and increased TT compliance and that the secondary decline in MVC could be related to the increased muscle volume (thickness) and the reduction of the TT complianc