Velocity-dependent muscle strategy during plantarflexion in humans

This work examines the relative contribution of the triceps surae heads and the tibialis anterior (TA) to tension development with reference to voluntary plantarflexion at various velocities and at two articular positions of the knee joint (extended and flexed at 90 °). Subjects were instructed to perform plantarflexion at various submaximal and maximal velocities with no intention of stopping the movement. Voluntary electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded and the amplitude, duration and integral were analysed. Integrated EMG (IEMG) was normalized with respect to duration. The maximal M wave and the Hoffmann (H) reflex elicited by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve were recorded in the triceps surae to estimate the effects in gastrocnemii (G) length and motoneuron excitability differences, respectively, in the two knee positions. The results indicate that: (a) although the largest EMG activity was recorded in the extended limb, the greatest maximal velocities were performed in the flexed knee position; (b) with increasing velocity of movement, all triceps surae muscles showed enhanced IEMG activities; (c) at a low velocity of movement the soleus (So1)/G IEMG ratio was larger in the flexed compared to the extended knee; and (d) with increasing velocity, co-activation of agonist and antagonist muscles appeared. It is concluded that the larger maximal velocity of movement observed in the flexed compared to the extended knee was not primarily related to the neural command of the different triceps surae components, but rather to their mechanical properties. Furthermore, co-activation of agonist and antagonist muscles may contribute to the performance of the contractile strategy during rapid movements.     

Effect of different ankle- and knee-joint positions on gastrocnemius medialis fascicle length and EMG activity during isometric plantar flexion

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on the fact that the observed decrease in EMG activity of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) at pronounced knee flexed positions is not only due to GM insufficiency, by examining muscle fascicle lengths during maximal voluntary contractions at different positions. Twenty-two male long distance runners (body mass: 78.5+/-6.7 kg, height: 183+/-6 cm) participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary plantar flexion contractions (MVC) of their left leg at six ankle-knee angle combinations. To examine the resultant ankle joint moments the kinematics of the left leg were recorded using a Vicon 624 system with 8 cameras operating at 120 Hz. The EMG activity of GM, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) were measured using surface electromyography. Synchronously, fascicle length and pennation angle values of the GM were obtained at rest and at the plateau of the maximal plantar flexion using ultrasonography. The main findings were: (a) identifiable differences in fascicle length of the GM at rest do not necessarily imply that these differences would also exist during a maximal isometric plantar flexion contraction and (b) the EMG activity of the biarticular GM during the MVC decreased at a pronounced flexed knee-joint position (up to 110 degrees ) despite of no differences in GM fascicle length. It is suggested that the decrease in EMG activity of the GM at pronounced knee flexed positions is due to a critical force-length potential of all three muscles of the triceps surae.     

Residual force enhancement during submaximal and maximal effort contractions of the plantar flexors across knee angle

Following active muscle lengthening, steady-state isometric force is elevated compared with an isometric contraction without prior lengthening for the same muscle length and activation level. This property of muscle contraction is known as residual force enhancement (RFE). Here, we aimed to determine whether neural factors may mask some of the mechanical benefits of RFE on plantar flexion torque production. Inherent to lengthening contractions is an increase in cortical and spinal-mediated inhibition, while knee flexion places the medial gastrocnemius at a neuromechanical disadvantage. Neuromuscular properties of the plantar flexors were investigated with a Humac Norm dynamometer in 10 males (∼27 years) with a flexed (90°) and extended (180°) knee and with or without calcaneal tendon vibration (frequency range: 80–110 Hz). There was no effect for vibration (p > 0.05), but there was an effect for knee angle (p < 0.05) such that there was a 2 fold increase in RFE with the knee flexed compared with extended. During submaximal torque matching, following active lengthening there was an activation reduction (electromyography; EMG) of 7.2 and 4.7% with the knee flexed and extended, respectively for soleus as compared with the reference isometric contraction, but no difference for the medial gastrocnemius. Despite attempting to excite Ia input onto the plantar flexor motor neuron pool, vibration had no influence on RFE. Surprisingly, RFE was elevated more for the knee flexed than extended, which was possibly owing to the activation differences across the disparate muscles of the triceps surae during the plantar flexion task.     

Motor unit firing patterns of lower leg muscles during isometric plantar flexion with flexed knee joint position

The ankle flexor and extensor muscles are essential for pedal movements associated with car driving. Neuromuscular activation of lower leg muscles is influenced by the posture during a given task, such as the flexed knee joint angle during car driving. This study aimed to investigate the influence of flexion of the knee joint on recruitment threshold-dependent motor unit activity in lower leg muscles during isometric contraction. Twenty healthy participants performed plantar flexor and dorsiflexor isometric ramp contractions at 30 % of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with extended (0°) and flexed (130°) knee joint angles. High-density surface electromyograms were recorded from medial gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles and decomposed to extract individual motor units. The torque-dependent change (Δpps /Δ%MVC) of the motor unit activity of MG (recruited at 15 %MVC) and SOL (recruited at 5 %MVC) muscles was higher with a flexed compared with an extended knee joint (p < 0.05). The torque-dependent change of TA MU did not different between the knee joint angles. The motor units within certain limited recruitment thresholds recruited to exert plantar flexion torque can be excited to compensate for the loss of MG muscle torque output with a flexed knee joint.     

Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses of the triceps surae during maximal voluntary contractions.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of joint angle on the electromyogram (EMG) and mechanomyogram (MMG) during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Eight subjects performed maximal isometric plantar flexor torque productions at varying knee and/or ankle angles. Maximal voluntary torque, EMG, and MMG from the soleus (Sol), medial (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles were measured at different joint angles. At varying knee angles, the root mean squared (rms) MMG amplitude of the MG and LG increased with knee joint extension from 60 degrees to 180 degrees (full extension) in steps of 30 degrees, whereas that of the Sol was constant. At varying ankle angles, the rms-MMG of all muscles (Sol, MG, and LG) decreased with torque as ankle joint extending from 80 degrees (10 degrees dorsiflexion position) to 120 degrees (30 degrees plantar flexion position) in steps of 10 degrees. In each case, changes in the rms-MMG of the three muscles were almost parallel to those in torque. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the rms-EMG of all muscles among all joint angles. Our data suggest that the MMG amplitudes recorded from individual muscles during MVCs can represent relative torque-angle relationships that cannot be represented by the EMG signals.     

Limiting mechanisms of force production after repetitive dynamic contractions in human triceps surae.

The influence of repetitive dynamic fatiguing contractions on the neuromuscular characteristics of the human triceps surae was investigated in 10 subjects. The load was 50% of the torque produced during a maximal voluntary contraction, and the exercise ended when the ankle range of motion declined to 50% of control. The maximal torque of the triceps surae and the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the soleus and medial gastrocnemius were studied in response to voluntary and electrically induced contractions before and after the fatiguing task and after 5 min of recovery. Reflex activities were also tested by recording the Hoffmann reflex (H reflex) and tendon reflex (T reflex) in the soleus muscle. The results indicated that whereas the maximal voluntary contraction torque, tested in isometric conditions, was reduced to a greater extent (P < 0.05) at 20 degrees of plantar flexion (-33%) compared with the neutral position (-23%) of the ankle joint, the EMG activity of both muscles was not significantly reduced after fatigue. Muscle activation, tested by the interpolated-twitch method or the ratio of the voluntary EMG to the amplitude of the muscle action potential (M-wave), as well as the neuromuscular transmission and sarcolemmal excitation, tested by the M-wave amplitude, did not change significantly after the fatiguing exercise. Although the H and T reflexes declined slightly (10-13%; P < 0.05) after fatigue, these adjustments did not appear to have a direct deleterious effect on muscle activation. In contrast, alterations in the mechanical twitch time course and postactivation potentiation indicated that intracellular Ca(2+)-controlled excitation-contraction coupling processes most likely played a major role in the force decrease after dynamic fatiguing contractions performed for short duration.     

Differential displacement of the human soleus and medial gastrocnemius aponeuroses during isometric plantar flexor contractions in vivo.

The human triceps surae muscle-tendon complex is a unique structure with three separate muscle compartments that merge via their aponeuroses into the Achilles tendon. The mechanical function and properties of these structures during muscular contraction are not well understood. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which differential displacement occurs between the aponeuroses of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (Sol) muscles during plantar flexion. Eight subjects (mean +/- SD; age 30 +/- 7 yr, body mass 76.8 +/- 5.5 kg, height 1.83 +/- 0.06 m) performed maximal isometric ramp contractions with the plantar flexor muscles. The experiment was performed in two positions: position 1, in which the knee joint was maximally extended, and position 2, in which the knee joint was maximally flexed (125 degrees ). Plantarflexion moment was assessed with a strain gauge load cell, and the corresponding displacement of the MG and Sol aponeuroses was measured by ultrasonography. Differential shear displacement of the aponeurosis was quantified by subtracting displacement of Sol from that of MG. Maximal plantar flexion moment was 36% greater in position 1 than in position 2 (132 +/- 20 vs. 97 +/- 11 N.m). In position 1, the displacement of the MG aponeurosis at maximal force exceeded that of the Sol (12.6 +/- 1.7 vs. 8.9 +/- 1.5 mm), whereas in position 2 displacement of the Sol was greater than displacement of the MG (9.6 +/- 1.0 vs. 7.9 +/- 1.2 mm). The amount and "direction" of shear between the aponeuroses differed significantly between the two positions across the entire range of contraction, indicating that the Achilles tendon may be exposed to intratendinous shear and stress gradients during human locomotion.     

Triceps surae muscle-tendon unit length changes as a function of ankle joint angles and contraction levels: the effect of foot arch deformation

The purpose of this study was to clarify how foot deformation affects the relationship between triceps surae muscle-tendon unit (MTU) length and ankle joint angle. For six women and six men a series of sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images of the right foot were taken, and changes in MTU length (the displacement of the calcaneal tuberosity), foot arch angle, and ankle joint angle were measured. In the passive session, each subject's ankle joint was secured at 10° dorsiflexed position, neutral position (NP), and 10° and 20° plantar flexed positions while MR images were acquired. In the active session, each subject was requested to perform submaximal isometric plantar flexions (30%, 60%, and 80% of voluntary maximum) at NP. The changes in MTU length in each trial were estimated by two different formulae reported previously. The changes of the measured MTU length as a function of ankle joint angles observed in all trials of the active session were significantly (p<0.05) larger than corresponding values in the passive session and by the estimation formulae. In the passive session, MTU length changes were significantly smaller than the estimated values when the ankle was plantar flexed. The foot arch angle increased as the contraction level increased from rest (117 ± 4°) to 80% (125 ± 3°), and decreased as the ankle was positioned further into plantar flexion in the passive session (115 ± 3°). These results indicate that foot deformation profoundly affects the triceps surae MTU length-ankle joint angle relationship during plantar flexion.     

Selective recruitment of the triceps surae muscles with changes in knee angle

The muscles of the triceps surae group are important for performance in most sports and in the performance of activities of daily life. In addition, hypertrophy and balance among these muscles are integral to success in bodybuilding. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle utilization patterns of the 2 major muscles of the triceps surae group, the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (lateral head = LG and medial head = MG), and the tibialis anterior (TA) as an antagonist muscle to the group. Their electromyographic (EMG) signals were compared during 50 constant external resistance contractions at a level established before the testing session. Eleven experienced subjects contributed data during plantar flexion at 3 different knee angles (90, 135, and 180 degrees ). Both root mean square amplitude and integrated signal analyses of the EMGs revealed that the MG produced significantly greater activity than either the SOL or TA at 180 degrees, whereas the LG was not different from the SOL at any knee angle measured. Data also revealed that the SOL produced less electrical activity at 180 degrees than at the other knee angles, whereas the MG produced greater electrical activity. As would be expected, the TA produced lower EMG values than any of the triceps surae muscles at all angles tested. These data indicate that selective targeting of the SOL and MG is possible through the manipulation of knee angle. This targeting appears to be controlled by the biarticular and monoarticular structures of the MG and SOL, respectively. The LG appears less affected by knee position than the MG. Results suggest that the SOL can be targeted most effectively with the knee flexed at 90 degrees and the MG with the leg fully extended. The LG appears to also be more active at 180 degrees; however, it is not as affected as the MG or SOL by knee angle.     

Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle length, velocity, and EMG responses to changes in pedalling cadence

Several authors have shown different excitation patterns for soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in response to cadence manipulation during cycling. The purpose of this study was to examine gastrocnemius and soleus length and velocity change as a function of pedalling cadence to consider mechanisms underlying these excitation differences. Ten male and two female cyclists rode at five randomly assigned cadences (50, 65, 80, 95, and 110 rpm) at a nominal 200 W power output while EMG of the gastrocnemius and soleus and sagittal plane video were recorded. Joint-coordinate data for the knee and ankle were used with equations of Grieve et al. [Grieve D, Pheasant S, Cavanagh PR. Prediction of gastrocnemius length from knee and ankle joint posture, in: E. Asmussen, K. Jorgensen, editors. International Series on Biomechanics, vol. 2A, Baltimore: University Park Press; 1978. p. 405–412] to compute gastrocnemius and soleus length and velocity. Consistent with previous publications, gastrocnemius displayed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in integrated EMG with increased cadence, whereas cadence had no significant effect on integrated EMG of the soleus. The ankle became significantly (p < 0.05) more plantar flexed and reflected a reduced range of motion with increased cadence while the knee became significantly (p < 0.05) less extended. Soleus decreased its range of motion by 29%, whereas gastrocnemius decreased its range of motion by 9%. In contrast, soleus increased its velocity range by 32% and gastrocnemius increased by 45%. These data show that with increased cadence gastrocnemius operated over a narrower range of operating lengths but at a higher range of shortening velocity than soleus. The higher range of velocity may have resulted in the need for a relatively higher excitation, as indicated by the integrated EMG, as the muscle was working at a different range on its force–velocity curve. During the recovery portion of the pedalling cycle, the soleus was acting eccentrically while the gastrocnemius acted concentrically indicating the triceps surae complex did not always act in unison.     

Changes in human skeletal muscle architecture and function induced by extended spaceflight

The aim of this study was to quantitatively describe the relationships between joint angles and muscle architecture (lengths (L_f) and angles (Θ_f) of fascicles) of human triceps surae [medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius and soleus (SOL) muscles] in vivo for three men-cosmonaut after long-duration spaceflight. Sagittal sonographs of MG, LG, SOL were taken at ankle was positioned at 15° (dorsiflexion), 0° (neutral position), +15°, and +30° (plantarflexion), with the knee at 90° at rest and after a long-duration spaceflight. At each position, longitudinal ultrasonic images of the MG and LG and SOL were obtained while the cosmonauts was relaxed from which fascicle lengths and angles with respect to the aponeuroses were determined. After space flight plantarflexor force declined significantly (26%; p < 0.001). The internal architecture of the GM, and LG, and SOL muscle was significantly altered. In the passive condition, L_f changed from 45, 53, and 39 mm (knee, 0°, ankle, −15°) to 26, 33, and 28 mm (knee, 90° ankle, 30°) for MG, LG, and SOL, respectively. Different lengths and angles of fascicles, and their changes by contraction, might be related to differences in force-producing capabilities of the muscles and elastic characteristics of tendons and aponeuroses. The three heads of the triceps surae muscle substantially differ in architecture, which probably reflects their functional roles. Differences in fiber length and pennation angle that were observed among the muscles and could be associated with differences in force production and in elastic properties of musculo-tendinous complex and aponeuroses.     

Soleus aponeurosis strain distribution following chronic unloading in humans: an in vivo MR phase-contrast study.

The in vivo strain properties of human skeletal muscle-tendon complexes are poorly understood, particularly following chronic periods of reduced load bearing. We studied eight healthy volunteers who underwent 4 wk of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) to induce chronic unloading. Before and after the ULLS, maximum isometric ankle plantar flexion torque was determined by using a magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible dynamometry. Volumes of the triceps surae muscles and strain distribution of the soleus aponeurosis and the Achilles tendon at a constant submaximal plantar flexion (20% pre-maximal voluntary contraction) were measured by using MRI and velocity-encoded, phase-contrast MRI techniques. Following ULLS, volumes of the soleus and the medial gastrocnemius and the maximum isometric ankle plantar flexion (maximum voluntary contraction) decreased by 5.5+/-1.9, 7.5+/-2.7, and 48.1+/-6.1%, respectively. The strain of the aponeurosis along the length of the muscle before the ULLS was 0.3+/-0.3%, ranging from -1.5 to 2.7% in different locations of the aponeurosis. Following ULLS, the mean strain was -6.4+/-0.3%, ranging from -1.6 to 1.3%. The strain distribution of the midregion of the aponeurosis was significantly influenced by the ULLS, whereas the more distal component showed no consistent changes. Achilles tendon strain was not affected by the ULLS. These results raise the issue as to whether these changes in strain distribution affect the functional properties of the triceps surae and whether the probability of strain injuries within the triceps surae increases following chronic unloading in those regions of this muscle complex in which unusual strains occur.     

Changes in fascicle length from rest to maximal voluntary contraction affect the assessment of voluntary activation

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the differences between the actual fascicle length during a voluntary contraction and the fascicle length at rest of the triceps surae muscle on the determination of the voluntary activation (VA) by using the interpolated twitch technique. Twelve participants performed isometric voluntary maximal (MVC) and submaximal (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC) contractions at two different ankle angles (75 degrees and 90 degrees ) under application of the interpolated twitch technique. Two ultrasound probes were used to determine the fascicle length of soleus, gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles. Further, the MVCs and the twitches were repeated for six more ankle angles (85 degrees , 95 degrees , 100 degrees , 105 degrees , 110 degrees and 115 degrees ). The VA of the triceps surae muscle were calculated (a) using the rest twitch force (RTF) measured during the same trial as the interpolated twitch force (ITF; traditional method) and (b) using the RTF at an ankle angle where the fascicle length showed similar values between ITF and RTF (fascicle length consideration method). The continuous changes in fascicle length from rest to MVC affect the accuracy of the assessment of the VA. The traditional method overestimates the assessment of the VA on average 4% to 12%, especially at 90 degrees ankle angle (i.e. short muscle length). The reason for this influence is the unequal force-length potential of the muscle at twitch application by the measure of ITF and RTF. These findings provide evidence that the fascicle length consideration method permits a more precise prediction (an improvement of 4-12%) of the voluntary contraction compared to the traditional method.     

Motor unit firing rates of the gastrocnemii during maximal brief steady-state contractions in humans

The human triceps surae (soleus, medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemii) is complex and important for posture and gait. The soleus exhibits markedly lower motor unit firing rates (MUFRs; ∼16 Hz) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) than other limb muscles, but this information is unknown for the MG and LG. During multiple visits, subjects performed a series of 5–7, ∼7-s plantar flexor MVCs with tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the MG and LG. During a separate testing session, another group of subjects performed submaximal isometric contractions at 25%, 50%, and 75% MVC with inserted fine-wires in the MG, LG and soleus. Maximum steady-state MUFRs for MG and LG (∼23 Hz) were not different, but faster than prior reports for the soleus. No differences between the three triceps surae components were detected for 25% or 50% MVC, but at 75% MVC, the MG MUFRs were 31% greater than soleus. The triceps surae exhibit similar torque modulation strategies at <75% MVC, but to achieve higher contraction intensities (>75% MVC) the gastrocnemii rely on faster rates to generate maximal torque than the soleus. Therefore, the MG and LG exhibit a larger range of MUFR capacities.     

Similarities and Differences of the Soleus and Gastrocnemius H-reflexes during Varied Body Postures, Foot Positions, and Muscle Function: Multifactor Designs for Repeated Measures

Background  

Although the soleus (Sol), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles differ in function, composition, and innervations, it is a common practice is to investigate them as single H-reflex recording. The purpose of this study was to compare H-reflex recordings between these three sections of the triceps surae muscle group of healthy participants while lying and standing during three different ankle positions.     

Contractile adaptations in the human triceps surae after isometric exercise

Ultrastructural and twitch contractile characteristics of the human triceps surae were determined in seven healthy but very sedentary subjects before and after 16 wk of unilateral isometric training at 100% maximal voluntary contraction. After training, twitch contraction time decreased by approximately 20%. One-half relaxation time, peak twitch torque, and percent fiber type in any of the muscles of the triceps surae complex were not changed by training. Type I and type II fiber areas increased in the soleus by approximately 30%, but only type II fibers showed an increased in area in the lateral gastrocnemius (40%). Despite such changes in fiber area, the volume density of the sarcoplasmic reticulum-transverse tubular (SR) network averaged 3.2 +/- 0.6 and 5.9 +/- 0.9% in type I and type II fibers, respectively, before and after training in the two heads of the gastrocnemius. Type I SR fraction increased to 3.5 +/- 1.2% after training in the soleus; however, correlations were not significant between the change in the volume density of SR and the change in twitch contraction time (R = 0.46, P = 0.45) or the change in one-half relaxation time (R = -0.68, P = 0.08). The results demonstrate that isometric training at 100% maximal voluntary contraction induced changes in twitch contraction time that were not directly related to changes in the volume density of SR in fibers of the triceps surae.     

Architectural and functional features of human triceps surae muscles during contraction

Architecturalproperties of the triceps surae muscles were determined in vivo for sixmen. The ankle was positioned at 15° dorsiflexion (15°)and 0, 15, and 30° plantar flexion, with the knee set at 0, 45, and90°. At each position, longitudinal ultrasonic images of the medial(MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius and soleus (Sol) muscles wereobtained while the subject was relaxed (passive) and performed maximalisometric plantar flexion (active), from which fascicle lengths andangles with respect to the aponeuroses were determined. In the passivecondition, fascicle lengths changed from 59, 65, and 43 mm (knee,0°; ankle, 15°) to 32, 41, and 30 mm (knee, 90°ankle, 30°) for MG, LG, and Sol, respectively. Fascicle shorteningby contraction was more pronounced at longer fascicle lengths. MG hadgreatest fascicle angles, ranging from 22 to 67°, and was in a verydisadvantageous condition when the knee was flexed at 90°,irrespective of ankle positions. Different lengths and angles offascicles, and their changes by contraction, might be related todifferences in force-producing capabilities of the muscles and elasticcharacteristics of tendons and aponeuroses.

     

Contributions of slow and fast muscles of triceps surae to a cyclic movement

The relative contribution of synergistic muscles has been studied during pedalling on a bicycle. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the different components of triceps surae (namely soleus or SOL and medial gastrocnemius or MG) has been recorded and analyzed for increasing pedalling speed performed against increasing resistance. The results indicate that SOL IEMG (integrated EMG) increases linearly (y = 2x-12.1; r = 0.98) with increasing load (10-70 N) at constant speed (60 rpm), whereas no change is noted in MG IEMG below 40 N. In contrast, when the pedalling speed is increased (from 30 to 170 rpm) at constant load, MG IEMG shows the largest increase. Furthermore, although in both muscles EMG activity appears earlier in the movement with increases in load and/or speed, the delay between the onset of both EMGs remains unchanged at constant speed and synchronization of MG with SOL is only observed when speed is increased above 140 rpm. These results suggest that the different muscles of the triceps surae make specific contributions to the development of the mechanical tension required to maintain or increase the speed of movement.     

Longer electromechanical delay in paretic triceps surae muscles during voluntary isometric plantarflexion torque generation in chronic hemispheric stroke survivors

Electromechanical delay (EMD) is the time delay between the onset of muscle activity and the onset of force/joint torque. This delay appears to be linked to muscular contraction efficiency. However, to our knowledge, limited evidence is available regarding the magnitude of the EMD in stroke-impaired muscles. Accordingly, this study aims to quantify the EMD in both paretic and non-paretic triceps surae muscles of chronic hemispheric stroke survivors, and to investigate whether the EMD is related to voluntary force-generating capacity in this muscle group. Nine male chronic stroke survivors were asked to perform isometric plantarflexion contractions at different force levels and at different ankle joint angles ranging from maximum plantarflexion to maximum dorsiflexion. The surface electromyograms were recorded from triceps surae muscles. The longest EMD among triceps surae muscles was chosen as the EMD for each side. Our results revealed that the EMD in paretic muscles was significantly longer than in non-paretic muscles. Moreover, both paretic and non-paretic muscles showed a negative correlation between the EMD and maximum torque-generating capacity. In addition, there was a strong positive relationship between the EMD and shear wave speed in paretic muscles as well as a negative relationship between the EMD and passive ankle joint range of motion. These findings imply that the EMD may be a useful biomarker, in part, associated with contractile and material properties in stroke-impaired muscles.     

Myoelectric changes in the triceps surae muscles under sustained contractions. Evidence for synergism

Synergistic behaviour of triceps surae muscles (medial gastrocnemius-MG, lateral gastrocnemius-LG, soleus-SOL) during sustained submaximal plantarflexions was investigated in this study. Six male subjects were asked to sustain an isometric plantar flexor effort to exhaustion at two different knee angles. Exhaustion was defined as the point when they could no longer maintain the required tension. The loads sustained at 0 and 120 degrees of knee flexion represented 50% and 36% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) respectively. MVC was measured at 0 degree knee flexion. During the contractions, electromyograms (EMG) from the surface of the triceps surae muscles were recorded. Changes in the synergistic behaviour of the triceps surae were assessed via partial correlations of the average EMG (AEMG) between three muscle combinations; MG/LG, MG/SOL, LG/SOL, and correlation between SOL/MG + LG and MG/SOL + LG. The latter combinations were based on either common fibre type or innervation properties. Two types of synergisms were identified: trade-off and coactivation. Trade-off and coactivation synergies were defined by significant (p less than 0.05) positive and negative correlations respectively. Coactivation synergism was found to occur predominantly under conditions of high load or reduced length of the triceps surae, and increased with the duration of the contraction. Trade-off synergism was evident when the muscles were at their optimum length and the loads sustained were submaximum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)