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Muscle Lengths (muscle + length)
Selected AbstractsPredicting the effect of muscle length on fatigue during electrical stimulationMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 4 2009M. Susan Marion PhD Abstract Mathematical models have been developed to predict fatigue during functional electrical stimulation, but the predictive accuracy at different muscle lengths is unknown. The objectives of our study were to: (1) experimentally determine the relationship between knee extension angle (20°, 40°, 65°, and 90°) and fatigue of the quadriceps muscles, and (2) predict that relationship using a mathematical model. A computer-controlled stimulator sent trains of pulses to surface electrodes on the thighs of five subjects while forces were measured at the ankle. A two-component mathematical model was developed. One component accounted for force, and the other accounted for fatigue. The model was fit to the data, and parameters were identified at 90°. The fitted subject-averaged r2 value was 0.89. The model was used to predict fatigue at the remaining angles, and the subject-averaged r2 values were >0.75. Therefore, at least 75% of the variability in the measurements was explained by the model. The force model is explicitly dependent on angle, and the fatigue model is explicitly dependent on force; therefore, the dependence of fatigue on knee angle was implicit. Muscle Nerve, 2009 [source] Recent advances in enteric neurobiology: mechanosensitive interneuronsNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 11 2007T. K. Smith Abstract, Until recently, it was generally assumed that the only intrinsic sensory neuron, or primary afferent neuron, in the gut was the after-hyperpolarizing AH/Type II neuron. AH neurons excited by local chemical and mechanical stimulation of the mucosa appear to be necessary for activating the peristaltic reflex (oral excitation and anal inhibition of the muscle layers) and anally propagating ring like contractions (peristaltic waves) that depend upon smooth muscle tone. However, our recent findings in the guinea-pig distal colon suggest that different neurochemical classes of interneuron in the colon are also mechanosensitive in that they respond directly to changes in muscle length, rather than muscle tone or tension. These interneurons have electrophysiological properties consistent with myenteric S-neurons. Ascending and descending interneurons respond directly to circumferential stretch by generating an ongoing polarized peristaltic reflex activity (oral excitatory and anal inhibitory junction potentials) in the muscle for as long as the stimulus is maintained. Some descending (nitric oxide synthase +ve) interneurons, on the other hand, appear to respond directly to longitudinal stretch and are involved in accommodation and slow transit of faecal pellets down the colon. This review will present recent evidence that suggests some myenteric S interneurons, in addition to AH neurons, behave as intrinsic sensory neurons. [source] Splinting the hand in the functional position after acquired brain injury did not influence muscle length, hand function or painAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2003Marion Walker No abstract is available for this article. [source] Contraction kinetics of isolated human myometrium during menstrual cycle and pregnancyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Mikhail Tchirikov Objective To investigate the interaction between actin and myosin in the myometrium by studying the contraction kinetics of isolated samples of human myometrium. Design Experimental and observational cross-sectional study. Setting Eppendorf University Hospital, Hamburg. Samples Myometrium samples were taken from women in the follicular phase (n= 6) or luteal phase (n= 6) of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy at term (n= 25). Methods The frequency, extent and rate of force development were determined in spontaneously active myometrial preparations. From a resting force of 2 mN, sustained tonic contractions were induced by K+ -depolarisation (124 mM), or by protein kinase C activation (19.9 ,M indolactam). The steady force was reversibly interrupted by rapid length changes (100 Hz sinus vibrations lasting 1 s, 5% of muscle length). Extent (steady plateau), as well as rate of force increase after cessation of vibrations, were derived from bi-exponential functions fitted to the time course of force recovery. Results Frequency of spontaneous contractions was higher in the follicular phase [mean (SD) 18.3 contractions/hour (1.0)] than in the luteal phase [13.4 contractions/hour (8.1)] or in pregnancy at term [8.8 contractions/hour (7.6)]. During indolactam treatment, steady force in pregnancy at term was significantly increased [8.8 mN (4.0)], compared with the follicular phase [3.7 mN (0.9)]. Force recovery was distinctly slower in pregnancy at term during indolactam treatment [time constant 99.2 s (57.9); P < 0.005] than during K+ -depolarisation [time constant 29.1 s (5.9)], whereas in the follicular phase the rate of force recovery was faster with indolactam [16.8 s (7.1)] than with K+ depolarisation [24.4 s (5.9); P < 0.005]. Conclusions The responses of human myometrium to contraction stimuli differ according to the reproductive state. Membrane depolarisation causes similar responses in all myometrial strips. In contrast, near term stimulation of protein kinase C generates a large tonic force and slow contraction kinetics, whereas early in the menstrual cycle contraction kinetics are fast. [source] IDENTIFYING ATHLETES AT RISK OF HAMSTRING STRAINS AND HOW TO PROTECT THEMCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2004U Proske SUMMARY 1.,One common soft-tissue injury in sports involving sprinting and kicking a ball is the hamstring strain. Strain injuries often occur while the contracting muscle is lengthened, an eccentric contraction. We have proposed that the microscopic damage to muscle fibres that routinely occurs after a period of unaccustomed eccentric exercise can lead to a more severe strain injury. 2.,An indicator of susceptibility for the damage from eccentric exercise is the optimum angle for torque. When this is at a short muscle length, the muscle is more prone to eccentric damage. It is known that subjects most at risk of a hamstring strain have a previous history of hamstring strains. By means of isokinetic dynamometry, we have measured the optimum angle for torque for nine athletes with a history of unilateral hamstring strains. We also measured optimum angles for 18 athletes with no previous history of strain injuries. It was found that mean optimum angle in the previously injured muscles was at a significantly shorter length than for the uninjured muscles of the other leg and for muscles of both legs in the uninjured group. This result suggests that previously injured muscles are more prone to eccentric damage and, therefore, according to our hypothesis, more prone to strain injuries than uninjured muscles. 3.,After a period of unaccustomed eccentric exercise, if the exercise is repeated 1 week later, there is much less evidence of damage because the muscle has undergone an adaptation process that protects it against further damage. We propose that for athletes considered at risk of a hamstring strain, as indicated by the optimum angle for torque, a regular programme of mild eccentric exercise should be undertaken. This approach seems to work because evidence from a group of athletes who have implemented such a programme shows a significant reduction in the incidence of hamstring strains. [source] Limitations of relaxation kinetics on muscular workACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010J. McDaniel Abstract Aim:, Positive net work produced during cyclic contractions is partially limited by relaxation kinetics, which to date, have not been directly investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of relaxation kinetics on cyclic work. Methods:, Soleus muscles of four cats were isolated and subjected to a series of work loops (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 Hz cycle frequencies) during which stimulation terminated prior to the end of the shortening phase to allow for complete muscle relaxation and matched discrete sinusoidal shortening contractions during which stimulation remained on until the completion of the shortening phase. Muscle length changes during these protocols were centred on optimum length and were performed across muscle lengths that represented walking gait. Results:, When muscle excursions were centred on Lo relaxation kinetics decreased muscular work by 2.8 ± 0.8%, 12.1 ± 4.1%, 27.9 ± 4.5% and 40.1 ± 5.9% for 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 Hz respectively. However, relaxation kinetics did not influence muscular work when muscle excursions represented walking gait. In addition, muscular work produced at muscle lengths associated with walking gait was less than the work produced across Lo (55.7 ± 20.0%, 53.5 ± 21.0%, and 50.1 ± 22.0% for 0.5, 1 and 1.5 Hz respectively). Conclusion:, These results imply that relaxation kinetics are an important factor that limit the ability of muscle to produce work; however, the influence of relaxation kinetics on physiological function may depend on the relation between the optimum length and natural excursion of a muscle. [source] Force,frequency and force,length properties in skeletal muscle following unilateral focal ischaemic insult in a rat modelACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009G. N. Dormer Abstract Aim:, Our purpose was to quantify skeletal muscle properties following unilateral focal ischaemic insult (stroke) in a rat model. Methods:, Male rats were divided into two groups: stroke and 2 weeks recovery (n = 8) and control group (n = 7). Stroke was induced in the area of the motor neocortex containing hind limb corticospinal neurones. Contractile properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured in situ in both limbs. Force,length and force,frequency properties were measured before and 35 min after 5 min fatiguing stimulation. Results:, Stroke resulted in bilateral tetanic fade during 200 Hz stimulation. When normalized to 100 Hz contractions, force at 200 Hz was 95.4 ± 0.9% for the paretic muscles, 96.7 ± 1.7% for non-paretic muscles and 102.2 ± 1.0% for muscles of control rats (P = 0.006). Prior to fatiguing contractions, there was no difference in the length dependence of force. During repetitive contractions, active force fell significantly to 19 ± 4 and 25 ± 5% of initial force in paretic and non-paretic muscles of animals with a stroke respectively. In control animals active force fell to 37 ± 5%. During repetitive contractions, fusion index increased in muscles of stroke animals to 1.0 ± 0 but in control animals it was 0.95 ± 0.02. There was selective force depression at short lengths for fatigued paretic muscle (significant difference at muscle lengths less than reference length ,2 mm). Conclusion:, The tetanic fade at high stimulation frequencies indicates that there may be activation failure following focal ischaemic insult. The greater magnitude of fatigue and selective depression at short lengths following repetitive contractions should be investigated further. [source] Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the pelvic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris)JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 4 2008S. B. Williams Abstract We provide quantitative anatomical data on the muscle,tendon architecture and geometry of the pelvic limb of an elite sprint athlete, the racing greyhound. Specifically, muscle masses, muscle lengths, fascicle lengths, pennation angles and muscle moment arms were measured. Maximum isometric force and power of muscles, the maximum muscle torque at joints and tendon stress and strain were estimated. We compare data with that published for a generalized breed of canid, and other cursorial mammals such as the horse and hare. The pelvic limb of the racing greyhound had a relatively large volume of hip extensor muscle, which is likely to be required for power production. Per unit body mass, some pelvic limb muscles were relatively larger than those in less specialized canines, and many hip extensor muscles had longer fascicle lengths. It was estimated that substantial extensor moments could be created about the tarsus and hip of the greyhound allowing high power output and potential for rapid acceleration. The racing greyhound hence possesses substantial specializations for enhanced sprint performance. [source] Predicting the effect of muscle length on fatigue during electrical stimulationMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 4 2009M. Susan Marion PhD Abstract Mathematical models have been developed to predict fatigue during functional electrical stimulation, but the predictive accuracy at different muscle lengths is unknown. The objectives of our study were to: (1) experimentally determine the relationship between knee extension angle (20°, 40°, 65°, and 90°) and fatigue of the quadriceps muscles, and (2) predict that relationship using a mathematical model. A computer-controlled stimulator sent trains of pulses to surface electrodes on the thighs of five subjects while forces were measured at the ankle. A two-component mathematical model was developed. One component accounted for force, and the other accounted for fatigue. The model was fit to the data, and parameters were identified at 90°. The fitted subject-averaged r2 value was 0.89. The model was used to predict fatigue at the remaining angles, and the subject-averaged r2 values were >0.75. Therefore, at least 75% of the variability in the measurements was explained by the model. The force model is explicitly dependent on angle, and the fatigue model is explicitly dependent on force; therefore, the dependence of fatigue on knee angle was implicit. Muscle Nerve, 2009 [source] POPPING SARCOMERE HYPOTHESIS EXPLAINS STRETCH-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGECLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2004David L Morgan SUMMARY 1.,Exercise that involves stretching a muscle while active cause microscopic areas of damage, delayed onset muscle soreness and adaptation to withstand subsequent similar exercise. 2.,Longer muscle lengths are associated with greater damage and recent animal experiments show that it is the length relative to optimum that determines the damage. 3.,In humans, walking down stairs, taking two at a time, increases the length of the muscle during the lengthening and increases the delayed onset muscle soreness. 4.,The observed pattern of damage is consistent with explanations based on sarcomere length instabilities. 5.,The pattern of adaptation is consistent with the number of sarcomeres in series in a muscle being modulated by exercise, especially the range of muscle lengths over which eccentric exercise regularly occurs. 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