Muscle Volume (muscle + volume)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Influence of concurrent exercise or nutrition countermeasures on thigh and calf muscle size and function during 60 days of bed rest in women

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2007
T. A. Trappe
Abstract Aim:, The goal of this investigation was to test specific exercise and nutrition countermeasures to lower limb skeletal muscle volume and strength losses during 60 days of simulated weightlessness (6° head-down-tilt bed rest). Methods:, Twenty-four women underwent bed rest only (BR, n = 8), bed rest and a concurrent exercise training countermeasure (thigh and calf resistance training and aerobic treadmill training; BRE, n = 8), or bed rest and a nutrition countermeasure (a leucine-enriched high protein diet; BRN, n = 8). Results:, Thigh (quadriceps femoris) muscle volume was decreased (P < 0.05) in BR (,21 ± 1%) and BRN (,24 ± 2%), with BRN losing more (P < 0.05) than BR. BRE maintained (P > 0.05) thigh muscle volume. Calf (triceps surae) muscle volume was decreased (P < 0.05) to a similar extent (P > 0.05) in BR (,29 ± 1%) and BRN (,28 ± 1%), and this decrease was attenuated (P < 0.05) in BRE (,8 ± 2%). BR and BRN experienced large (P < 0.05) and similar (P > 0.05) decreases in isometric and dynamic (concentric force, eccentric force, power and work) muscle strength for supine squat (,19 to ,33%) and calf press (,26 to ,46%). BRE maintained (P > 0.05) or increased (P < 0.05) all measures of muscle strength. Conclusion:, The nutrition countermeasure was not effective in offsetting lower limb muscle volume or strength loss, and actually promoted thigh muscle volume loss. The concurrent aerobic and resistance exercise protocol was effective at preventing thigh muscle volume loss, and thigh and calf muscle strength loss. While the exercise protocol offset ,75% of the calf muscle volume loss, modification of this regimen is needed. [source]


Activity-dependent regulation of synaptic size in Drosophila neuromuscular junctions

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Hiroaki Nakayama
Abstract One of the fundamental questions in neural development is how neurons form synapses of the appropriate size for the efficient transfer of information across neural circuits. Here we investigated the mechanisms that bring about the size correlation between synapses and postsynaptic cells during development of Drosophila neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). To do this, we made use of a unique system in which two neighboring muscles (M6 and M7) are innervated by the same neurons. In mature NMJs, synaptic size on M6 is normally larger than that on M7, in accordance with the difference in muscle volume; this ensures the same extent of contraction of both muscles, and we refer to this correspondence as "matching". We found that matching was apparent in larvae 8 h after hatching, but not in newly hatched larvae despite the difference in muscle volume. When sensory inputs were suppressed by the expression of tetanus toxin in sensory neurons, matching did not occur, although synapses were able to grow. Matching was also suppressed by the inhibition of motoneuronal activity. These results suggest that matching is induced by regulating the rate of synaptic growth on M6 and M7 in an experience- and activity-dependent manner. It seems most likely that retrograde signals from the postsynaptic to the presynaptic cell convey the information about muscle cell size. We thus examined whether a candidate of retrograde signaling in NMJs, BMP signaling, is involved inmatching. However, there was no effect on matching inBMP type II receptor gene mutants, suggesting thatother experience-driven mechanisms besides BMP signaling are involved in the proper development of synapses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source]


The training stimulus experienced by the leg muscles during cycling in humans

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
Jamie S. McPhee
Considerable variability exists between people in their health- and performance-related adaptations to conventional endurance training. We hypothesized that some of this variability might be due to differences in the training stimulus received by the working muscles. In 71 young sedentary women we observed large variations in the ratio of one-leg cycling muscle aerobic capacity to two-leg cycling whole-body maximal oxygen uptake (; Ratio1:2; range 0.58,0.96). The variability in Ratio1:2 was primarily due to differences between people in one-leg (r= 0.71, P < 0.0005) and was not related to two-leg (r= 0.15, P= 0.209). Magnetic resonance imaging (n= 30) and muscle biopsy sampling (n= 20) revealed that one-leg was mainly determined by muscle volume (r= 0.73, P < 0.0005) rather than muscle fibre type or oxidative capacity. A high one-leg was associated with favourable lipoprotein profiles (P= 0.033, n= 24) but this was not the case for two-leg . Calculations based on these data suggest that conventional two-leg exercise at 70% requires subjects with the lowest Ratio1:2 to work their legs at 60% of single-leg , whilst those with the highest Ratio1:2 work their legs at only 36% of maximum. It was concluded that endurance training carried out according to current guidelines will result in highly variable training stimuli for the leg muscles and variable magnitudes of adaptation. These conclusions have implications for the prescription of exercise to improve health and for investigations into the genetic basis of muscle adaptations. [source]


Quantification of red myotomal muscle volume and geometry in the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis) using T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
Cameron N. Perry
Abstract T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in conjunction with image and segmentation analysis (i.e., the process of digitally partitioning tissues based on specified MR image characteristics) was evaluated as a noninvasive alternative for differentiating muscle fiber types and quantifying the amounts of slow, red aerobic muscle in the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis). MRI-determinations of red muscle quantity and position made for the mid-body sections of three mako sharks (73.5,110 cm fork length, FL) are in close agreement (within the 95% confidence intervals) with data obtained for the same sections by the conventional dissection method involving serial cross-sectioning and volumetric analyses, and with previously reported findings for this species. The overall distribution of salmon shark red muscle as a function of body fork length was also found to be consistent with previously acquired serial dissection data for this species; however, MR imaging revealed an anterior shift in peak red muscle cross-sectional area corresponding to an increase in body mass. Moreover, MRI facilitated visualization of the intact and anatomically correct relationship of tendon linking the red muscle and the caudal peduncle. This study thus demonstrates that MRI is effective in acquiring high-resolution three-dimensional digital data with high contrast between different fish tissue types. Relative to serial dissection, MRI allows more precise quantification of the position, volume, and other details about the types of muscle within the fish myotome, while conserving specimen structural integrity. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


A pathomechanical concept explains muscle loss and fatty muscular changes following surgical tendon release

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 5 2004
Dominik C. Meyer
Abstract Following tendon tear, the musculo-tendinous unit retracts permanently, looses muscle fibre volume and is infiltrated with fat. This is currently considered to be an unexplained degenerative process. In a sheep model of chronic tendon tear with delayed tendon repair (35 weeks after tendon release), we studied the nature of these muscle changes in eight experimental animals. At sacrifice (75 weeks after tendon release) the muscle had retracted by 1.7±0.5 cm (9% of entire length, P < 0.0001), the pennation angle had increased from 22±2.5° to 50±11° (P < 0.0001) and the mean muscle fibre length had shortened from 32±3 to 16±5 mm (50%, P < 0.0001). In electron and light microscopy, we found essentially normal muscle fibres with an unaltered fibre diameter and myofibrillar structure, while interstitial fat and fibrous tissue had increased from 3.9% to 45.9% (P < 0.0001) of the muscle volume. Geometric modelling showed that the increase of the pennation angle separates the muscle fibre bundles mechanically like limbs of a parallelogram. Infiltrating fat cells fill the created space between the reoriented muscle fibres which may be quantitatively calculated without affecting the structural properties of the muscle cells. Fatty infiltration is therefore not seen as a degenerative process but a necessary rearrangement of the tissue after macroarchitectural changes caused by musculo-tendinous retraction. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source]


Intramuscular innervation of the human soleus muscle: A 3D model

CLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 5 2003
Eldon Y. Loh
Abstract The purpose of this study was to document the neural distribution patterns within the human soleus muscle using 3D computer modelling. Through serial dissection, pinning, and digitization, nerve distribution and muscle volume of a human cadaveric soleus muscle were documented and a detailed 3D computer model of neural distribution within the muscle volume was generated. Branching patterns demonstrated divisions that parallel architectural partitions within the soleus; that is, into anterior, posterior, and marginal soleus. Additionally, branching patterns demonstrated further partitioning of the posterior soleus into five distinct regions and the anterior soleus into two regions. Communication between nerve branches of the five regions of posterior soleus and between the anterior and posterior soleus were recorded. Knowledge of these anatomical partitions and their interaction is important as it will aid in the development of functional muscle models and in the understanding of normal and pathological muscle function. Clin. Anat. 16:378,382, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Comparative effects of resistance training on peak isometric torque, muscle hypertrophy, voluntary activation and surface EMG between young and elderly women

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 2 2007
Jack Cannon
Summary We compared the effect of a 10-week resistance training program on peak isometric torque, muscle hypertrophy, voluntary activation and electromyogram signal amplitude (EMG) of the knee extensors between young and elderly women. Nine young women (YW; range 20,30 years) and eight elderly women (EW; 64,78 years) performed three sets of ten repetitions at 75% 1 repetition maximum for the bilateral leg extension and bilateral leg curl 3 days per week for 10 weeks. Peak isometric torque, EMG and voluntary activation were assessed before, during, and after the training period, while knee extensor lean muscle cross-sectional area (LCSA) and lean muscle volume (LMV) were assessed before and after the training period only. Similar increases in peak isometric torque (16% and 18%), LCSA (13% and 12%), LMV (10% and 9%) and EMG (19% and 21%) were observed between YW and EW, respectively, at the completion of training (P<0·05), while the increase in voluntary activation in YW (1·9%) and EW (2·1%) was not significant (P>0·05). These findings provide evidence to indicate that participation in regular resistance exercise can have significant neuromuscular benefits in women independent of age. The lack of change in voluntary activation following resistance training in both age groups despite the increase in EMG may be related to differences between measurements in their ability to detect resistance training-induced changes in motor unit activity. However, it is possible that neural adaptation did not occur and that the increase in EMG was due to peripheral adaptations. [source]


Resistance training increases in vivo quadriceps femoris muscle specific tension in young men

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010
R. M. Erskine
Abstract Aim:, The present study investigated whether in vivo human quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle specific tension changed following strength training by systematically determining QF maximal force and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA). Methods:, Seventeen untrained men (20 ± 2 years) performed high-intensity leg-extension training three times a week for 9 weeks. Maximum tendon force (Ft) was calculated from maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, corrected for agonist and antagonist muscle activation, and moment arm length (dPT) before and after training. QF PCSA was calculated as the sum of the four component muscle volumes, each divided by its fascicle length. Dividing Ft by the sum of the component muscle PCSAs, each multiplied by the cosine of the respective fascicle pennation angle, provided QF specific tension. Results:, MVC torque and QF activation increased by 31% (P < 0.01) and 3% (P < 0.05), respectively, but there was no change in antagonist co-activation or dPT. Subsequently, Ft increased by 27% (P < 0.01). QF volume increased by 6% but fascicle length did not change in any of the component muscles, leading to a 6% increase in QF PCSA (P < 0.05). Fascicle pennation angle increased by 5% (P < 0.01) but only in the vastus lateralis muscle. Consequently, QF specific tension increased by 20% (P < 0.01). Conclusion:, An increase in human muscle specific tension appears to be a real consequence of resistance training rather than being an artefact of measuring errors but the underlying cause of this phenomenon remains to be determined. [source]


Three-dimensional study of the musculotendinous architecture of supraspinatus and its functional correlations

CLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 6 2007
Soo Y. Kim
Abstract The supraspinatus is most frequently involved in shoulder pathology. However, the musculotendinous architecture of the supraspinatus has not been well documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the detailed three-dimensional architecture of the supraspinatus throughout its volume. Ten male formalin embalmed cadaveric specimens (mean age 61.9 ± 16 years) without any evidence of rotator cuff pathology were used. Three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, and z) of the tendon and muscle fiber bundles were collected in situ, using serial dissection and digitization. The data was reconstructed into a three-dimensional model using MayaÔ. Fiber bundle lengths, pennation angles (PA), muscle volumes, and tendon dimensions for each architecturally distinct area were computed and then analyzed using paired t -tests and ANOVA (P < 0.05). The supraspinatus was found to consist of anterior and posterior regions, which were each further subdivided into superficial, middle, and deep parts. Mean PA were found to be significantly different between the distinct parts of the anterior region of the muscle. Medial PA was also found be significantly different between the superficial and middle, and superficial and deep parts of the posterior region. These results provide insight into the normal function of the muscle and its possible contribution to the initiation and progression of supraspinatus tendon tears. Clin. Anat. 20:648,655, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]