Effect of stretching training on the viscoelastic properties of human tendon structures in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether stretching training altered the viscoelastic properties of human tendon structures in vivo. Eight men performed the stretching training for 3 wk. Before and after the stretching training, the elongation of the tendon and aponeurosis of medial gastrocnemius muscle was directly measured by ultrasonography while the subjects performed ramp isometric plantar flexion up to the voluntary maximum, followed by a ramp relaxation. The relationship between the estimated muscle force (Fm) and tendon elongation (L) during the ascending phase was fitted to a linear regression, the slope of which was defined as stiffness of tendon structures. The percentage of the area within the Fm-L loop to the area beneath the curve during ascending phase was calculated as an index representing hysteresis. To assess the flexibility, the passive torque of the plantar flexor muscles was measured during the passive stretch from 0 degrees (anatomic position) to 25 degrees of dorsiflexion with a constant velocity of 5 degrees/s. The slope of the linear portion of the passive torque-angle curve during stretching was defined as flexibility index. Flexibility index decreased significantly after stretching training (-13.4 +/- 4.6%). On the other hand, the stretching training produced no significant change in stiffness but significantly decreased hysteresis from 19.9 +/- 11.7 to 12.5 +/- 9.5%. The present results suggested that stretching training affected the viscosity of tendon structures but not the elasticity.     

Characterization of muscle belly elastic properties during passive stretching using transient elastography

Passive muscle stretching can be used in vivo to assess the viscoelastic properties of the entire musculo-articular complex, but does not allow the specific determination of the muscle or tendon viscoelasticity. In this respect, the local muscle hardness (LMH) of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) belly was measured during a passive ankle stretching of 10 subjects using transient elastography. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to stretch ankle plantar flexors, to measure ankle angle, and the passive torque developed by the ankle joint in resistance to the stretch. Results show that the LMH increased during the stretching protocol, with an averaged ratio between maximal LMH and minimal LMH of 2.62+/-0.46. Furthermore, LMH-passive torque relationships were nicely fitted using a linear model with mean correlation coefficients (R(2)) of 0.828+/-0.099. A good reproducibility was found for the maximal passive torque (ICC=0.976, SEM=2.9Nm, CV=5.5%) and the y-intercept of the LMH-passive torque relationship (ICC=0.893, SEM=105Pa, CV=7.8%). However, the reproducibility was low for the slope of this relationship (ICC=0.631, SEM=10.35m(-2), CV=60.4%). The y-intercept of the LMH-passive torque relationship was not significantly changed after 10min of static stretching. This result confirms the finding of a previous study indicating that changes in passive torque following static stretching could be explained by an acute increase in muscle length without any changes in musculo-articular intrinsic mechanical properties.     

Quantifying the effectiveness of the sustained muscle stretching treatments in stroke patients with ankle hypertonia.

Sustained muscle stretch (SMS) is commonly used to reduce hypertonia. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of three different SMS protocols, namely constant-angle, cyclic, and constant-torque stretching, in the immediate reducing of ankle hypertonia. Forty-seven hemiplegic subjects, 53.7+/-10.3 years old and 22.4+/-16.0 months after stroke, with hypertonic ankle joints were recruited to undergo three SMS applied to protocols treatment their hypertonic ankle joints using an integrated treatment/assessment system. The immediate post-treatment effectiveness of each stretching protocol was assessed by reference to the pre-treatment Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), passive range of motion (ROM), and reactive torque measurement, from which the viscous-elastic components of the ankle joint were derived. All three SMS protocols successfully reduced MAS grade. Additionally, each stretching method yielded an increase in ankle ROM, from 9.7 degrees to 16 degrees , 9.6 degrees to 14.8 degrees , and 9.2 degrees to 18.3 degrees for the constant-angle, cyclic-stretching, constant-torque protocols, respectively, and reduction of the elastic and viscous properties of the ankle joint dorsiflexion (p<0.05). The changes in the ROM, elasticity, and viscosity were most pronounced in the case of the constant-torque stretching protocol. In addition to clinical scales, current biomechanical assessments indicate that three SMS protocols are all effective in reducing the immediate viscoelastic components of hypertonic ankle joints. Our quantitative analysis further shows that of the three treatment protocols, the constant-torque treatment is the most effective.     

The duration of the inhibitory effects with static stretching on quadriceps peak torque production

Although several studies have investigated the acute effect of static stretching exercises, the duration of exercises that negatively affects performance has not been ascertained. This study was conducted to determine the acute effect of different static stretching durations on quadriceps isometric and isokinetic peak torque production. The 50 participants were randomly allocated into five equivalent sized groups and were asked to perform a stretching exercise of different duration (no stretch, 10-second stretch, 20-second stretch, 30-second stretch, and 60-second stretch). The knee flexion range of motion and the isometric and concentric isokinetic peak torques of the quadriceps were measured before and after a static stretching exercise in the four experimental groups. The same parameters were examined in the control group (no stretch) without stretching, before and after a 5-minute passive rest. There were no significant differences among groups before the experimentation regarding their physical characteristics and performances (P > 0.05). These results reflect the different groups' homogeneity. Significant knee joint flexibility increases (P < 0.001) and significant isometric and isokinetic peak torque reductions (P < 0.05-0.001) have been shown to occur only after 30 and 60 seconds of quadriceps static stretching. Stretching reduced isometric peak torque by 8.5% and 16.0%, respectively. Concerning isokinetic peak torque after 30 and 60 seconds of stretching, it was reduced by 5.5% vs. 11.6% at 60 degrees/s and by 5.8% vs. 10.0% at 180 degrees/s. We suggest that torque decrements are related to changes of muscle neuromechanical properties. It is recommended that static stretching exercises of a muscle group for more than 30 seconds of duration be avoided before performances requiring maximal strength.     

Spike-triggered average torque and muscle fiber conduction velocity of low-threshold motor units following submaximal endurance contractions.

The motor unit twitch torque is modified by sustained contraction, but the association to changes in muscle fiber electrophysiological properties is not fully known. Thus twitch torque, muscle fiber conduction velocity, and action potential properties of single motor units were assessed in 11 subjects following an isometric submaximal contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle until endurance. The volunteers activated a target motor unit at the minimum discharge rate in eight 3-min-long contractions, three before and five after an isometric contraction at 40% of the maximal torque, sustained until endurance. Multichannel surface electromyogram signals and joint torque were averaged with the target motor unit potential as trigger. Discharge rate (mean +/- SE, 6.6 +/- 0.2 pulses/s) and interpulse interval variability (33.3 +/- 7.0%) were not different in the eight contractions. Peak twitch torque and recruitment threshold increased significantly (93 +/- 29 and 12 +/- 5%, P <0.05) in the contraction immediately after the endurance task with respect to the preendurance values (0.94 +/- 0.26 mN.m and 3.7 +/- 0.5% of the maximal torque), whereas time to peak of the twitch torque did not change (74.4 +/- 10.1 ms). Muscle fiber conduction velocity decreased and action potential duration increased in the contraction after the endurance (6.3 +/- 1.8 and 9.8 +/- 1.8%, respectively, P <0.05; preendurance values, 3.9 +/- 0.2 m/s and 11.1 +/- 0.8 ms), whereas the surface potential peak-to-peak amplitude did not change (27.1 +/- 3.1 microV). There was no significant correlation between the relative changes in muscle fiber conduction velocity or surface potential duration and in peak twitch torque (R2= 0.04 and 0.10, respectively). In conclusion, modifications in peak twitch torque of low-threshold motor units with sustained contraction are mainly determined by mechanisms not related to changes in action potential shape and in its propagation velocity.     

Acute effects of static stretching on maximal eccentric torque production in women

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of static stretching on peak torque (PT) and the joint angle at PT during maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1) for the stretched and unstretched limbs in women. Thirteen women (mean age +/- SD = 20.8 +/- 0.8 yr; weight +/- SD = 63.3 +/- 9.5 kg; height +/- SD = 165.9 +/- 7.9 cm) volunteered to perform separate maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the leg extensors with the dominant and nondominant limbs on a Cybex 6000 dynamometer at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1). PT (Nm) and the joint angle at PT (degrees) were recorded by the dynamometer software. Following the initial isokinetic assessments, the dominant leg extensors were stretched (mean stretching time +/- SD = 21.2 +/- 2.0 minutes) using 1 unassisted and 3 assisted static stretching exercises. After the stretching (4.3 +/- 1.4 minutes), the isokinetic assessments were repeated. The statistical analyses indicated no changes (p > 0.05) from pre- to poststretching for PT or the joint angle at PT. These results indicated that static stretching did not affect PT or the joint angle at PT of the leg extensors during maximal, voluntary, eccentric isokinetic muscle actions at 60 and 180 degrees x s(-1) in the stretched or unstretched limbs in women. In conjunction with previous studies, these findings suggested that static stretching may affect torque production during concentric, but not eccentric, muscle actions.     

Effect of temperature on spike-triggered average torque and electrophysiological properties of low-threshold motor units.

The aim of the study was to jointly analyze temperature-induced changes in low-threshold single motor unit twitch torque and action potential properties. Joint torque, multichannel surface, and intramuscular electromyographic signals were recorded from the tibialis anterior muscle of 12 subjects who were instructed to identify the activity of a target motor unit using intramuscular electromyographic signals as feedback. The target motor unit was activated at the minimum stable discharge rate in seven 3-min-long contractions. The first three contractions (C1-C3) were performed at 33 degrees C skin temperature. After 5 min, the subject performed three contractions at 33 degrees C (T1), 39 degrees C (T2), and 45 degrees C (T3), followed by a contraction at 33 degrees C (C4) skin temperature. Twitch torque and multichannel surface action potential of the target motor unit were obtained by spike-triggered averaging. Discharge rate (mean +/- SE, 7.1 +/- 0.5 pulses/s), interpulse interval variability (35.8 +/- 9.2%), and recruitment threshold (4.5 +/- 0.4% of the maximal voluntary torque) were not different among the seven contractions. None of the investigated variables were different among C1-C3, T1, and C4. Conduction velocity and peak twitch torque increased with temperature (P < 0.05; T1: 3.53 +/- 0.21 m/s and 0.82 +/- 0.23 mN x m, T2: 3.93 +/- 0.24 m/s and 1.17 +/- 0.36 mN x m, T3: 4.35 +/- 0.25 m/s and 1.46 +/- 0.40 mN x m, respectively). Twitch time to peak and surface action potential peak-to-peak amplitude were smaller in T3 (61.8 +/- 2.0 ms and 27.4 +/- 5.1 microV, respectively) than in T1 (71.9 +/- 4.1 ms and 35.0 +/- 6.5 microV, respectively) (P < 0.05). The relative increase in conduction velocity between T1 and T3 was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the increase in twitch peak amplitude (r2 = 0.48), with the decrease in twitch time to peak (r2 = 0.43), and with the decrease in action potential amplitude (r2 = 0.50). In conclusion, temperature-induced modifications in fiber membrane conduction properties may have a direct effect on contractile motor unit properties.     

Passive energy absorption by human muscle-tendon unit is unaffected by increase in intramuscular temperature.

The present study measured hamstring intramuscular temperature and muscle-tendon unit viscoelastic properties in healthy young men before and after 10 and 30 min of running with (day S) or without stretch (day NS). On day NS, passive energy absorption and intramuscular temperature were measured before running (Preex), after 10 min of running at 70% of maximum O(2) uptake (Postex10), and after 30 min of running at 75% of maximum O(2) uptake (Postex30). On day S, the protocol was repeated with three stretches (stretches 1-3) added after Postex10. Intramuscular temperature was elevated Postex10 (P < 0.01) and further Postex30 (P < 0.05). On day NS, the total energy absorbed Preex (14.3 +/- 2.3 J), Postex10 (14.5 +/- 3.2 J), and Postex30 (13.5 +/- 2.4 J) was not different. On day S, the total energy absorbed in stretch 3 (10.8 +/- 1.8 J) was lower than that Preex (14.5 +/- 1.7 J, P < 0.01) and Postex10 (13.5 +/- 1.9 J, P < 0.05) but not Postex30 (13.3 +/- 1.8 J). The total energy absorbed Postex30 did not differ from Preex. In conclusion, warm-up and continuous running elevated intramuscular temperature but did not affect the passive energy absorption. Repeated passive stretching reduced the energy absorption immediately; however, the effect did not remain after 30 min of running. These data suggest that passive energy absorption of the human skeletal muscle is insensitive to physiological increases in intramuscular temperature.     

Acute effects of static stretching on peak torque in women

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static stretching on concentric, isokinetic leg extension peak torque (PT) at 60 and 240 degrees.s(-1) in the stretched and unstretched limbs. The PT of the dominant (stretched) and nondominant (unstretched) leg extensors were measured on a calibrated Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Following the prestretching PT assessments, the dominant leg extensors were stretched using 1 active and 3 passive stretching exercises. After the stretching, PT was reassessed. The results of the statistical analyses indicated that PT decreased following the static stretching in both limbs and at both velocities (60 and 240 degrees.s(-1)). The present findings suggested that the stretching-induced decreases in PT may be related to changes in the mechanical properties of the muscle, such as an altered length-tension relationship, or a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism. Overall, these findings, in conjunction with previous studies, indicated that static stretching impairs maximal force production. Strength and conditioning professionals should consider this before incorporating static stretching in preperformance activities. Future studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanisms that influence the time course of stretching-induced decreases in maximal force production for athletes and nonathletes across the age span.     

Effects of ankle position during static stretching for the hamstrings on the decrease in passive stiffness

Static stretching is frequently performed to improve flexibility of the hamstrings, although the ankle position during hamstring stretching has not been fully investigated. We investigated the effects of ankle position during hamstring stretching on the decrease in passive stiffness. Fourteen healthy men performed static stretching for the hamstrings with the ankle dorsiflexed and plantar-flexed in a randomized order on different days. The hip was passively flexed to the maximum angle which could be tolerated without stretch pain with the knee fully extended; this was maintained for 5 min, with 1-min stretching performed in 5 sessions. Final angles and passive stiffness were measured before and after stretching. The final angle was defined as that formed by the tibia and horizontal plane when the knee was passively extended from hip and knee angles at 90° flexion to the maximum extension angle which could be tolerated without stretch pain. Passive stiffness was determined by the slope of torque–angle curve during the measurement of the final angle. The final angle significantly increased after stretching with the ankle dorsiflexed and plantar-flexed, whereas passive stiffness significantly decreased only after stretching with the ankle planter-flexed. The results suggest that passive stiffness decreases after stretching with the ankle planter-flexed but not after stretching with the ankle dorsiflexed, although the range of joint motion increases regardless of the ankle position during 5-min stretching for the hamstrings. These results indicate that static stretching should be performed with the ankle plantar-flexed when aiming to decrease passive stiffness of the hamstrings.     

Modeling of the passive mechanical properties of the musculo-articular complex: Acute effects of cyclic and static stretching

The primary aim of this study was to implement a rheological model of the mechanical behavior of the passive musculo-articular complex (MAC). The second objective was to adapt this model to simulate changes in the passive MAC's mechanical properties induced by passive stretching protocols commonly performed in sport and rehabilitation programs. Nine healthy subjects performed passive ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion cycles at different velocities (from 0.035 to 2.09 rad s^?1) on an isokinetic dynamometer. This procedure enabled the articular angle to be controlled and the passive torque developed by the MAC in resistance to stretch to be measured. Our rheological model, dependent on nine parameters, was composed of two non-linear (exponential) springs for both plantar- and dorsi-flexion, a linear viscoelastic component and a solid friction component. The model was implemented with the Simulink software package, and the nine parameters were identified, for each subject, by minimizing the square-difference between experimental torque–angle relationships and modeled curves. This model is in good agreement with experiment, whatever the considered stretching velocity. Finally, the model was adapted to incorporate static stretching (4×2.5 min) and cyclic stretching (five loading/unloading cycles) protocols. Our results indicate that the model could be used to simulate the effects of stretching protocols by adjusting a single (different) parameter for each protocol.     

Viscous elements have little impact on measured passive length-tension properties of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units in vivo

Several studies have measured the elastic properties of a single human muscle-tendon unit in vivo. However the viscoelastic behavior of single human muscles has not been characterized. In this study, we adapted QLV theory to model the viscoelastic behavior of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units in vivo. We also determined the influence of viscoelasticity on passive length-tension properties of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units. Eight subjects participated in the experiment, which consisted of two parts. First, the stress relaxation response of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units was determined at a range of knee and ankle angles. Subsequently, passive ankle torque and ankle angle were collected during cyclic dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at a range of knee angles. Viscous parameters were determined by fitting the stress relaxation experiment data with a two-term exponential function, and elastic parameters were estimated by fitting the QLV model and viscous parameters to the cyclic experiment data. The model fitted the experimental data well at slow speeds (RMSE: 1.7 ± 0.5N) and at fast speeds (RMSE: 1.9 ± 0.2N). Muscle-tendon units demonstrated a large amount of stress relaxation. Nonetheless, viscoelastic passive length-tension curves estimated with the QLV model were similar to elastic passive length-tension curves obtained using a model that ignored viscosity. There was little difference in the elastic passive length-tension curves at different loading rates. We conclude that (a) the QLV model can be used to quantify viscoelastic behaviors of relaxed human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units in vivo, and (b) over the range of velocities we examined, the velocity of loading has little effect on the passive length-tension properties of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units.     

Constitutive properties of hypertrophied myocardium: cellular contribution to changes in myocardial stiffness

Recent studies have suggested that pressure overload hypertrophy (POH) alters the viscoelastic properties of individual cardiocytes when studied in isolation. However, whether these changes in cardiocyte properties contribute causally to changes in the material properties of the cardiac muscle as a whole is unknown. Accordingly, a selective, isolated, acute change in cardiocyte constitutive properties was imposed in an in vitro system capable of measuring the resultant effect on the material properties of the composite cardiac muscle. POH caused an increase in both myocardial elastic stiffness, from 20.5 +/- 1.3 to 28.4 +/- 1.8, and viscous damping, from 15.2 +/- 1.1 to 19.8 +/- 1.5 s (normal vs. POH, P < 0.05), respectively. Recent studies have shown that cardiocyte constitutive properties could be acutely altered by depolymerizing the microtubules with colchicine. Colchicine caused a significant decrease in the viscous damping in POH muscles (19.8 +/- 1.5 s at baseline vs. 14.7 +/- 1.3 s after colchicine, P < 0.05). Therefore, myocardial material properties can be altered by selectively changing the constitutive properties of one element within this muscle tissue, the cardiocyte. Changes in the constitutive properties of the cardiocytes themselves contribute to the abnormalities in myocardial stiffness and viscosity that develop during POH.     

Dielectric properties of human brain tissue measured less than 10 h postmortem at frequencies from 800 to 2450 MHz

The dielectric properties of gray matter in the frequency range of 800-2450 MHz were measured on 20 human brains immediately after excision, less than 10 h after death. The brains were obtained during autopsy of 10 male and 10 female humans who died at ages between 47.5 and 87.5 years [70.4 +/- 9.8 years, mean +/- standard deviation (SD)]. The tissue temperature at the measurement sites ranged between 18 and 25 degrees C (21.35 +/- 1.6 degrees C, mean +/- SD). On each brain, four specific locations on the temporal lobe were measured on the right and left sides, i.e., 160 different measurements of the dielectric properties were performed. The dielectric probe was placed on the intact arachnoid on a gyrus in the selected area. The measurements yielded a mean value (+/-SD) of gray matter equivalent conductivity of 1.13 +/- 0.12 and 2.09 +/- 0.16 S/m at 800 and 2450 MHz, respectively. The mean value of measured relative permittivity was 58.2 +/- 3.3 and 54.7 +/- 3.3 at 800 and 2450 MHz, respectively. Taking into account a positive temperature coefficient of equivalent conductivity, these measurements indicate that the equivalent conductivity of human gray matter at body temperature is somewhat higher than today's generally accepted value, which is based on measurements on animal tissue and excised samples of human tissue measured more than 24 h postmortem.     

The effect of warm-up on high-intensity, intermittent running using nonmotorized treadmill ergometry

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of previous warming on high-intensity intermittent running using nonmotorized treadmill ergometry. Ten male soccer players completed a repeated sprint test (10 x 6-second sprints with 34-second recovery) on a nonmotorized treadmill preceded by an active warm-up (10 minutes of running: 70% VO2max; mean core temperature (Tc) 37.8 +/- 0.2 degrees C), a passive warm-up (hot water submersion: 40.1 +/- 0.2 degrees C until Tc reached that of the active warm-up; 10 minutes +/- 23 seconds), or no warm-up (control). All warm-up conditions were followed by a 10-minute static recovery period with no stretching permitted. After the 10-minute rest period, Tc was higher before exercise in the passive trial (38.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C) compared to the active (37.7 +/- 0.4 degrees C) and control trials (37.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C; p < 0.05). There were no differences in pre-exercise oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration; however, heart rate was greater in the active trial (p < 0.05). The peak mean 1-second maximum speed (MxSP) and group mean MxSP were not different in the active and passive trials (7.28 +/- 0.12 and 7.16 +/- 0.10 m x s(-1), respectively, and 7.07 +/- 0.33 and 7.02 +/- 0.24 m x s(-1), respectively; p > 0.05), although both were greater than the control. The percentage of decrement in performance fatigue was similar between all conditions (active, 3.4 +/- 1.3%; passive, 4.0 +/- 2.0%; and control, 3.7 +/- 2.4%). We conclude that there is no difference in high-intensity intermittent running performance when preceded by an active or passive warm-up when matched for post-warm-up Tc. However, repeated sprinting ability is significantly improved after both active and passive warm-ups compared to no warm-up.     

Reports of the length dependence of fatigue are greatly exaggerated.

Relative force depression associated with muscle fatigue is reported to be greater when assessed at short vs. long muscle lengths. This appears to be due to a rightward shift in the force-length relationship. This rightward shift may be caused by stretch of in-series structures, making sarcomere lengths shorter at any given muscle length. Submaximal force-length relationships (twitch, double pulse, 50 Hz) were evaluated before and after repetitive contractions (50 Hz, 300 ms, 1/s) in an in situ preparation of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. In some experiments, fascicle lengths were measured with sonomicrometry. Before repetitive stimulation, fascicle lengths were 11.3 +/- 0.8, 12.8 +/- 0.9, and 14.4 +/- 1.2 mm at lengths corresponding to -3.6, 0, and 3.6 mm where 0 is a reference length that corresponds with maximal active force for double-pulse stimulation. After repetitive stimulation, there was no change in fascicle lengths; these lengths were 11.4 +/- 0.8, 12.6 +/- 0.9, and 14.2 +/- 1.2 mm. The length dependence of fatigue was, therefore, not due to a stretch of in-series structures. Interestingly, the rightward shift that was evident when active force was calculated in the traditional way (subtraction of the passive force measured before contraction) was not seen when active force was calculated by subtracting the passive force that was associated with the fascicle length reached at the peak of the contraction. This calculation is based on the assumption that passive force decreases as the fascicles shorten during a fixed-end contraction. This alternative calculation revealed similar postfatigue absolute active force depression at all lengths. In relative terms, a length dependence of fatigue was still evident, but this was greatly diminished compared with that observed when active force was calculated with the traditional method.     

A simple model describing the elastic properties of human umbilical arterial smooth muscle

Elastic properties of cylindrical segments of 71 normal double and 4 single human umbilical arteries were studied. This specimen is rich in vascular smooth muscle in comparison with other great arteries. Outer diameter versus intraluminal pressure characteristic curves were taken with decreasing pressures in vitro in different contraction states. Tangential force and circumferential incremental elastic modulus were computed. A sum of 222 curves was analysed. The investigations showed that if we take tangential force and outer radius values measured at the same pressure levels but in different contraction states, then a similar proportional change in tangential force will induce a similar proportional passive change in the outer radius, to some extent independently of the degree of active tangential shortening of the segment. For example to induce a 10% passive decrease of the outer radius from values measured at 100 mm Hg intraluminal pressure, tangential force had to be decreased by 76.7 +/- 9.9% in single relaxed arteries, and by 79.6 +/- 0.8% in normal double relaxed segments. These values corresponded to intraluminal pressure levels of 26.4 +/- 4.9 mm Hg and 23.1 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, respectively. In 30% active spontaneous shortening to reach the same 10% passive decrease in outer radius from the value measured at 100 mm Hg, tangential force had to be decreased by 75.2 +/- 1.9% which corresponded to 29.6 +/- 20 mm Hg. The same values in 5-HT induced contraction, 30% active shortening were 76.7 +/- 2.0% and 28.4 +/- 2.6 mm Hg, respectively. In addition to the similarity of relative changes in tangential force, the pressure levels were to some extent also similar. These data suggest that elastic elements in the human umbilical arterial smooth muscle may be organized in such a way as to ensure similar prestretch of similar elastic elements at similar pressures independently of the degree of active shortening of the circumference.     

Acute effects of static versus dynamic stretching on isometric peak torque, electromyography, and mechanomyography of the biceps femoris muscle

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of static versus dynamic stretching on peak torque (PT) and electromyographic (EMG), and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude of the biceps femoris muscle (BF) during isometric maximal voluntary contractions of the leg flexors at four different knee joint angles. Fourteen men ((mean +/- SD) age, 25 +/- 4 years) performed two isometric leg flexion maximal voluntary contractions at knee joint angles of 41 degrees , 61 degrees , 81 degrees , and 101 degrees below full leg extension. EMG (muV) and MMG (m x s(-2)) signals were recorded from the BF muscle while PT values (Nm) were sampled from an isokinetic dynamometer. The right hamstrings were stretched with either static (stretching time, 9.2 +/- 0.4 minutes) or dynamic (9.1 +/- 0.3 minutes) stretching exercises. Four repetitions of three static stretching exercises were held for 30 seconds each, whereas four sets of three dynamic stretching exercises were performed (12-15 repetitions) with each set lasting 30 seconds. PT decreased after the static stretching at 81 degrees (p = 0.019) and 101 degrees (p = 0.001) but not at other angles. PT did not change (p > 0.05) after the dynamic stretching. EMG amplitude remained unchanged after the static stretching (p > 0.05) but increased after the dynamic stretching at 101 degrees (p < 0.001) and 81 degrees (p < 0.001). MMG amplitude increased in response to the static stretching at 101 degrees (p = 0.003), whereas the dynamic stretching increased MMG amplitude at all joint angles (p 相似文献   

Effect of static stretching of the biceps brachii on torque,electromyography, and mechanomyography during concentric isokinetic muscle actions

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an acute static stretching bout of the biceps brachii on torque, electromyography (EMG), and mechanomyography (MMG) during concentric isokinetic muscle actions. Eighteen (men, n = 10; women, n = 8) adult subjects (M +/- SD age = 22.7 +/- 2.8 years; weight = 78.0 +/- 17.0 kg; height = 177.9 +/- 11.0 cm) performed maximal isokinetic (30 and 270 degrees.s(-1)) forearm flexion strength testing on 2 occasions while EMG and MMG were recorded. Subjects were randomly assigned to stretching (STR) or nonstretching (NSTR) protocols before strength testing. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures revealed significantly (p < or = 0.05) greater torque for NSTR (M +/- SEM = 36.9 +/- 3.3 N.m) vs. STR (35.2 +/- 3.3 N.m), significantly greater MMG amplitude for STR vs. NSTR for 30 degrees.s(-1) (STR = 93.5 +/- 14.4 mV; NSTR = 63.1 +/- 10.6 mV) and 270 degrees.s(-1) (STR = 207.6 +/- 35.6 mV; NSTR = 136.4 +/- 31.7 mV), and no difference in EMG amplitude. These results indicate that a greater ability to produce torque without prior stretching is related to the musculotendinous stiffness of the muscle rather than the number of motor units activated. This suggests that performing activities that reduce muscle stiffness (such as stretching), may be detrimental to performance.     

Age-related enhancement of fatigue resistance is evident in men during both isometric and dynamic tasks.

It has been suggested that the effects of old age on the ability to resist fatigue may be task dependent. To test one aspect of this hypothesis, we compared the neuromuscular responses of nine young (26 +/- 4 yr, mean +/- SD) and nine older (72 +/- 4 yr) healthy, relatively sedentary men to intermittent isometric (3 min, 5 s contract/5 s rest) and dynamic (90 at 90 degrees /s) maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. To assess the mechanisms of fatigue (defined as the ratio of postexercise MVC to preexercise MVC), we also measured isometric central activation ratios (CAR), tetanic torque, contractile properties, and compound muscle action potentials before and immediately after exercise. Because dynamic contractions are more neurally complex and metabolically demanding than isometric contractions, we expected an age-related fatigue resistance observed during isometric exercise to be absent during dynamic exercise. In contrast, older men (O) fatigued less than young (Y) during both isometric (O = 0.77 +/- 0.07, Y = 0.66 +/- 0.02, mean +/- SE; P < 0.01) and dynamic (O = 0.45 +/- 0.07, Y = 0.27 +/- 0.02; P = 0.04) contractions (ratio of postexercise to preexercise MVC), with no evidence of peripheral activation failure in either group. We observed no obvious limitations in central activation in either group, as assessed using isometric CAR methods, after both isometric and dynamic contractions. Preexercise half-time of tetanic torque relaxation, which was longer in O compared with Y, was linearly associated with fatigue resistance during both protocols (r = 0.62 and 0.66, P < or = 0.004, n = 18). These results suggest that relative fatigue resistance is enhanced in older adults during both isometric and isokinetic contractions and that age-related changes in fatigue may be due largely to differences within the muscle itself.