The mechanical interaction between muscle and tendon in explosive sports

Muscular force production is essential for generating movement. The forces generated in the muscle are transmitted onto the bony skeleton via tendons. As the muscle sarcomeres, the smallest force-generating units, are placed both in series as well as in parallel in a muscle, and attach to the tendinous tissue at a certain angle in pennate muscles, a relatively high degree of variability in static muscle architecture and dynamic mechanical functioning is present. If we want movements to be explosive, both high force and high velocity outputs at the level of the muscle-tendon unit are required. However, muscle sarcomeres, are subject to a negative linear force-velocity relationship. As such, force production at high velocities is limited and high forces can only be produced at relatively low contraction velocities. Yet, due to its interaction with the tendon, these limitations of the muscle for high power generation can be overcome. Recent new developments have made it possible to study the muscle-tendon interaction in-vivo and during dynamic activities. By combining ultrasonography and musculoskeletal modelling, many unanswered questions can be tackled. As such, it is worthwhile to study this interaction between muscle and tendon in highly explosive sports.status: publishe