A comparison of two Hill-type skeletal muscle models on the construction of medial gastrocnemius length-tension curves in humans in vivo

Hoffman, B. W., Lichtwark, G. A., Carroll, T. J. and Cresswell, A. G. (2012) A comparison of two Hill-type skeletal muscle models on the construction of medial gastrocnemius length-tension curves in humans in vivo. Journal of Applied Physiology, 113 1: 90-96.


Author Hoffman, B. W.
Lichtwark, G. A.
Carroll, T. J.
Cresswell, A. G.
Title A comparison of two Hill-type skeletal muscle models on the construction of medial gastrocnemius length-tension curves in humans in vivo
Journal name Journal of Applied Physiology  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-07
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00070.2012
Volume number 113
Issue number 1
ISSN 8750-7587; 1522-1601
Start page 90
End page 96
Total pages 7
Place of publication Bethesda, MD, United States
Publisher American Physiological Society
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted abstract Human length-tension curves are traditionally constructed using a model that assumes passive tension does not change during contraction (model A) even though the animal literature suggests that passive tension can decrease (model B). The study's aims were threefold: 1) measure differences in human medial gastrocnemius length-tension curves using model A vs. model B, 2) test the reliability of ultrasound constructed length-tension curves, and 3) test the robustness of fascicle length-generated length-tension curves to variations between the angle and fascicle length relationship. An isokinetic dynamometer manipulated and measured ankle angle while ultrasound was used to measure medial gastrocnemius fascicle length. Supramaximal tibial nerve stimulation was used to evoke resting muscle twitches. Length-tension curves were constructed using model A {angle-torque [A-T(A)], length-torque [L-T(A)]} or model B {length-torque [L-T(B)]} in three conditions: baseline, heel-lift (where the muscle was shortened at each angle), and baseline repeated 2 h later (+2 h). Length-tension curves constructed from model B differed from those produced via model A, indicated by a significant increase in maximum torque (≈23%) when using L-T(B) vs. L-T(A). No parameter measured was different between baseline and +2 h for any method, indicating good reliability when using ultrasound. Length-tension curves were unaffected by the heel-lift condition when using L-T(A) or L-T(B) but were affected when using A-T(A). Since the muscle model used significantly alters human length-tension curves, and given animal data indicate model B to be more accurate when passive tension is present, we recommend that model B should be used when constructing medial gastrocnemius length-tension curves in humans in vivo.
Keyword Force-length relationship
Ultrasonography
Muscle fascicle
Torque-angle relationship
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

 
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