TY - JOUR
T1 - Stretch-induced changes in tension generation process and stiffness are not accompanied by alterations in muscle architecture of the middle and distal portions of the two gastrocnemii
AU - Cè, Emiliano
AU - Longo, Stefano
AU - Rampichini, Susanna
AU - Devoto, Michela
AU - Limonta, Eloisa
AU - Venturelli, Massimo
AU - Esposito, Fabio
PY - 2015/6/1
Y1 - 2015/6/1
N2 - The study aimed to evaluate the stretch-induced changes in muscle architecture in different portions of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) muscles. The reliability and sensitivity of the measurements were also assessed. Fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) were calculated in the middle and distal portions of GM and GL at 0°, 10° and 20° of ankle dorsiflexion. At the same angles, passive torque (Tpass), peak torque (pT) and myotendinous junction displacement of GM were determined. Stiffness was calculated at muscle-tendon unit (MTU), muscle and tendon level. After static stretching administration, Tpass, pT and MTU stiffness decreased by 22%, 12% and 16%, respectively (p0.90), with an adequate level of sensitivity. pT after static stretching was related to decreases in MTU, muscle and tendon stiffness, but not to alterations in muscle architecture.
AB - The study aimed to evaluate the stretch-induced changes in muscle architecture in different portions of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) muscles. The reliability and sensitivity of the measurements were also assessed. Fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) were calculated in the middle and distal portions of GM and GL at 0°, 10° and 20° of ankle dorsiflexion. At the same angles, passive torque (Tpass), peak torque (pT) and myotendinous junction displacement of GM were determined. Stiffness was calculated at muscle-tendon unit (MTU), muscle and tendon level. After static stretching administration, Tpass, pT and MTU stiffness decreased by 22%, 12% and 16%, respectively (p0.90), with an adequate level of sensitivity. pT after static stretching was related to decreases in MTU, muscle and tendon stiffness, but not to alterations in muscle architecture.
KW - Electrically-evoked contraction
KW - Fascicle length
KW - Pennation angle
KW - Plantar flexor muscles
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2015.03.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jelekin.2015.03.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 25817316
AN - SCOPUS:84929044605
VL - 25
SP - 469
EP - 478
JO - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
JF - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
SN - 1050-6411
IS - 3
ER -