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Berry DB, Gordon JA, Adair V, Frank LR, Ward SR. From Voxels to Physiology: A Review of Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications in Skeletal Muscle. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID: 39031753 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle has a classic structure function relationship; both skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture are directly related to force generating capacity. Biopsy, the gold standard for evaluating muscle microstructure, is highly invasive, destructive to muscle, and provides only a small amount of information about the entire volume of a muscle. Similarly, muscle fiber lengths and pennation angles, key features of muscle architecture predictive of muscle function, are traditionally studied via cadaveric dissection. Noninvasive techniques such as diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) offer quantitative approaches to study skeletal muscle microstructure and architecture. Despite its prevalence in applications for musculoskeletal research, clinical adoption is hindered by a lack of understanding regarding its sensitivity to clinically important biomarkers such as muscle fiber cross-sectional area. This review aims to elucidate how dMRI has been utilized to study skeletal muscle, covering fundamentals of muscle physiology, dMRI acquisition techniques, dMRI modeling, and applications where dMRI has been leveraged to noninvasively study skeletal muscle changes in response to disease, aging, injury, and human performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Berry
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Joseph A Gordon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Vincent Adair
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lawrence R Frank
- Center for Scientific Computation in Imaging, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Samuel R Ward
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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Davis JF, Khan T, Thornton M, Reeves ND, DeLuca M, Mohagheghi AA. High Velocity Passive Stretching Mimics Eccentric Exercise in Cerebral Palsy and May Be Used to Increase Spastic Muscle Fascicle Length. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:608. [PMID: 38927844 PMCID: PMC11200552 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscle fascicles are shorter and stiffer than normal in spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). Increasing fascicle length (FL) has been attempted in CP, the outcomes of which have been unsatisfactory. In healthy muscles, FL can be increased using eccentric exercise at high velocities (ECC). Three conditions are possibly met during such ECC: muscle micro-damage, positive fascicle strain, and momentary muscle deactivation during lengthening. Participants with and without CP underwent a single bout of passive stretching at (appropriately) high velocities using isokinetic dynamometry, during which we examined muscle and fascicle behaviour. Vastus lateralis (VL) FL change was measured using ultrasonography and showed positive fascicle strain. Measures of muscle creatine kinase were used to establish whether micro-damage occurred in response to stretching, but the results did not confirm damage in either group. Vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris muscle activity were measured using electromyography in those with CP. Results supported momentary spastic muscle deactivation during lengthening: all participants experienced at least one epoch (60 ms) of increased activation followed by activation inhibition/deactivation of the VM during knee flexion. We argue that high-velocity passive stretching in CP provides a movement context which mimics ECC and could be used to increase spastic FL with training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F. Davis
- Centre of Health, Physical Activity, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (J.F.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Tahir Khan
- The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK (M.T.)
| | - Matt Thornton
- The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK (M.T.)
| | - Neil D. Reeves
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK;
| | - Mara DeLuca
- Centre of Health, Physical Activity, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (J.F.D.); (M.D.)
| | - Amir A. Mohagheghi
- Centre for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Brunel University London, London UB8 3PH, UK
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3
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Assila N, Begon M, Duprey S. Finite Element Model of the Shoulder with Active Rotator Cuff Muscles: Application to Wheelchair Propulsion. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:1240-1254. [PMID: 38376768 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-024-03449-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The rotator cuff is prone to injury, remarkably so for manual wheelchair users. To understand its pathomechanisms, finite element models incorporating three-dimensional activated muscles are needed to predict soft tissue strains during given tasks. This study aimed to develop such a model to understand pathomechanisms associated with wheelchair propulsion. We developed an active muscle model associating a passive fiber-reinforced isotropic matrix with an activation law linking calcium ion concentration to tissue tension. This model was first evaluated against known physiological muscle behavior; then used to activate the rotator cuff during a wheelchair propulsion cycle. Here, experimental kinematics and electromyography data was used to drive a shoulder finite element model. Finally, we evaluated the importance of muscle activation by comparing the results of activated and non-activated rotator cuff muscles during both propulsion and isometric contractions. Qualitatively, the muscle constitutive law reasonably reproduced the classical Hill model force-length curve and the behavior of a transversally loaded muscle. During wheelchair propulsion, the deformation and fiber stretch of the supraspinatus muscle-tendon unit pointed towards the possibility for this tendon to develop tendinosis due to the multiaxial loading imposed by the kinematics of propulsion. Finally, differences in local stretch and positions of the lines of action between activated and non-activated models were only observed at activation levels higher than 30%. Our novel finite element model with active muscles is a promising tool for understanding the pathomechanisms of the rotator cuff for various dynamic tasks, especially those with high muscle activation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najoua Assila
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Research Center of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Univ Lyon, Univ Gustave Eiffel, Univ Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LBMC UMR T_9406, 69622, Lyon, France.
| | - Mickaël Begon
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Duprey
- Univ Lyon, Univ Gustave Eiffel, Univ Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LBMC UMR T_9406, 69622, Lyon, France
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Tangri S, Goyal K, Goyal M, Wanjari M. Gender-specific reference values of dynamometric and non-dynamometric trunk performance in individuals with different body fat percentages: A preliminary study. NARRA J 2024; 4:e303. [PMID: 38798840 PMCID: PMC11125305 DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i1.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Trunk muscles maintain steady effort with adequate strength and endurance. When the muscle performance is subpar, it might cause lower back discomfort. No reference for trunk strength and endurance has been established previously. The aim of this study was to determine the normative reference values for dynamometric and non-dynamometric tests in people with various body fat percentages. Two hundred sixty-four participants aged 19-40 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The Siri equation was used to calculate the individuals body fat proportions, which were divided into normal, high, and very high body fat for men and women. The Modified Sorenson's and the Back-Leg-Chest Dynamometric tests were utilized to measure muscular performance. The means of strength in females with normal, high, and very high body fat percentages were 27.39, 25.75, and 25.37 N/m2, respectively. The males in the same category had the means of 56.48, 51.79, and 60.17 N/m2, respectively. The highest mean of endurance in females was in those with normal body fat percentage (42.28), so did males (71.02). Our findings suggest that males had higher trunk muscle strength and endurance than females, and normal-body-fat individuals had the greatest endurance regardless of gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiksha Tangri
- Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi, Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, India
| | - Kanu Goyal
- Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi, Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, India
| | - Manu Goyal
- Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi, Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, India
| | - Mayur Wanjari
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Maharashtra, India
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5
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Son J, Ward SR, Lieber RL. Scaling relationships between human leg muscle architectural properties and body size. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246567. [PMID: 38357776 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
A skeletal muscle's peak force production and excursion are based on its architectural properties that are, in turn, determined by its mass, muscle fiber length and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA). In the classic interspecific study of mammalian muscle scaling, it was demonstrated that muscle mass scales positively allometrically with body mass whereas fiber length scales isometrically with body mass, indicating that larger mammals have stronger leg muscles than they would if they were geometrically similar to smaller ones. Although this relationship is highly significant across species, there has never been a detailed intraspecific architectural scaling study. We have thus created a large dataset of 896 muscles across 34 human lower extremities (18 females and 16 males) with a size range including approximately 90% and 70% of the United States population height and mass, respectively, across the range 36-103 years. Our purpose was to quantify the scaling relationships between human muscle architectural properties and body size. We found that human muscles depart greatly from isometric scaling because muscle mass scales with body mass1.3 (larger exponent than isometric scaling of 1.0) and muscle fiber length scales with negative allometry with body mass0.1 (smaller exponent than isometric scaling of 0.33). Based on the known relationship between architecture and function, these results suggest that human muscles place a premium on muscle force production (mass and PCSA) at the expense of muscle excursion (fiber length) with increasing body size, which has implications for understanding human muscle design as well as biomechanical modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongsang Son
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Samuel R Ward
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Research Service, Hines VA Hospital, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
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6
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Leib R, Howard IS, Millard M, Franklin DW. Behavioral Motor Performance. Compr Physiol 2023; 14:5179-5224. [PMID: 38158372 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The human sensorimotor control system has exceptional abilities to perform skillful actions. We easily switch between strenuous tasks that involve brute force, such as lifting a heavy sewing machine, and delicate movements such as threading a needle in the same machine. Using a structure with different control architectures, the motor system is capable of updating its ability to perform through our daily interaction with the fluctuating environment. However, there are issues that make this a difficult computational problem for the brain to solve. The brain needs to control a nonlinear, nonstationary neuromuscular system, with redundant and occasionally undesired degrees of freedom, in an uncertain environment using a body in which information transmission is subject to delays and noise. To gain insight into the mechanisms of motor control, here we survey movement laws and invariances that shape our everyday motion. We then examine the major solutions to each of these problems in the three parts of the sensorimotor control system, sensing, planning, and acting. We focus on how the sensory system, the control architectures, and the structure and operation of the muscles serve as complementary mechanisms to overcome deviations and disturbances to motor behavior and give rise to skillful motor performance. We conclude with possible future research directions based on suggested links between the operation of the sensorimotor system across the movement stages. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5179-5224, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raz Leib
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ian S Howard
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Matthew Millard
- Institute of Sport and Movement Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Engineering and Computational Mechanics, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - David W Franklin
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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7
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Sayed RKA, Hibbert JE, Jorgenson KW, Hornberger TA. The Structural Adaptations That Mediate Disuse-Induced Atrophy of Skeletal Muscle. Cells 2023; 12:2811. [PMID: 38132132 PMCID: PMC10741885 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of skeletal muscle mass plays a fundamental role in health and issues associated with quality of life. Mechanical signals are one of the most potent regulators of muscle mass, with a decrease in mechanical loading leading to a decrease in muscle mass. This concept has been supported by a plethora of human- and animal-based studies over the past 100 years and has resulted in the commonly used term of 'disuse atrophy'. These same studies have also provided a great deal of insight into the structural adaptations that mediate disuse-induced atrophy. For instance, disuse results in radial atrophy of fascicles, and this is driven, at least in part, by radial atrophy of the muscle fibers. However, the ultrastructural adaptations that mediate these changes remain far from defined. Indeed, even the most basic questions, such as whether the radial atrophy of muscle fibers is driven by the radial atrophy of myofibrils and/or myofibril hypoplasia, have yet to be answered. In this review, we thoroughly summarize what is known about the macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural adaptations that mediated disuse-induced atrophy and highlight some of the major gaps in knowledge that need to be filled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy K. A. Sayed
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.K.A.S.); (J.E.H.); (K.W.J.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Jamie E. Hibbert
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.K.A.S.); (J.E.H.); (K.W.J.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Kent W. Jorgenson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.K.A.S.); (J.E.H.); (K.W.J.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Troy A. Hornberger
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.K.A.S.); (J.E.H.); (K.W.J.)
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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8
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Caillet AH, Phillips ATM, Farina D, Modenese L. Motoneuron-driven computational muscle modelling with motor unit resolution and subject-specific musculoskeletal anatomy. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011606. [PMID: 38060619 PMCID: PMC10729998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The computational simulation of human voluntary muscle contraction is possible with EMG-driven Hill-type models of whole muscles. Despite impactful applications in numerous fields, the neuromechanical information and the physiological accuracy such models provide remain limited because of multiscale simplifications that limit comprehensive description of muscle internal dynamics during contraction. We addressed this limitation by developing a novel motoneuron-driven neuromuscular model, that describes the force-generating dynamics of a population of individual motor units, each of which was described with a Hill-type actuator and controlled by a dedicated experimentally derived motoneuronal control. In forward simulation of human voluntary muscle contraction, the model transforms a vector of motoneuron spike trains decoded from high-density EMG signals into a vector of motor unit forces that sum into the predicted whole muscle force. The motoneuronal control provides comprehensive and separate descriptions of the dynamics of motor unit recruitment and discharge and decodes the subject's intention. The neuromuscular model is subject-specific, muscle-specific, includes an advanced and physiological description of motor unit activation dynamics, and is validated against an experimental muscle force. Accurate force predictions were obtained when the vector of experimental neural controls was representative of the discharge activity of the complete motor unit pool. This was achieved with large and dense grids of EMG electrodes during medium-force contractions or with computational methods that physiologically estimate the discharge activity of the motor units that were not identified experimentally. This neuromuscular model advances the state-of-the-art of neuromuscular modelling, bringing together the fields of motor control and musculoskeletal modelling, and finding applications in neuromuscular control and human-machine interfacing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnault H. Caillet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew T. M. Phillips
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Farina
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Modenese
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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9
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Persad LS, Binder-Markey BI, Shin AY, Lieber RL, Kaufman KR. American Society of Biomechanics Journal of Biomechanics Award 2022: Computer models do not accurately predict human muscle passive muscle force and fiber length: Evaluating subject-specific modeling impact on musculoskeletal model predictions. J Biomech 2023; 159:111798. [PMID: 37713970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal models are valuable for studying and understanding the human body in a variety of clinical applications that include surgical planning, injury prevention, and prosthetic design. Subject-specific models have proven to be more accurate and useful compared to generic models. Nevertheless, it is important to validate all models when possible. To this end, gracilis muscle-tendon parameters were directly measured intraoperatively and used to test model predictions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits and limitations of systematically incorporating subject-specific variables into muscle models used to predict passive force and fiber length. The results showed that incorporating subject-specific values generally reduced errors, although significant errors still existed. Optimization of the modeling parameter "tendon slack length" was explored in two cases: minimizing fiber length error and minimizing passive force error. The results showed that using all subject-specific values yielded the most favorable outcome in both models and optimization cases. However, the trade-off between fiber length error and passive force error will depend on the specific circumstances and research objectives due to significant individual errors. Notably, individual fiber length and passive force errors were as high as 20% and 37% respectively. Finally, the modeling parameter "tendon slack length" did not correlate with any real-world anatomical length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lomas S Persad
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern University, Chicago. IL, USA; Hines VA Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Kenton R Kaufman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Hoeffner R, Svensson RB, Dietrich-Zagonel F, Schefte D, Kjær M, Eliasson P, Magnusson SP. Muscle fascicle and sarcomere adaptation in response to Achilles tendon elongation in an animal model. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:326-333. [PMID: 37348011 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00040.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Permanent loss of muscle function seen after an Achilles tendon rupture may partly be explained by tendon elongation and accompanying shortening of the muscle. Muscle fascicle length shortens, serial sarcomere number is reduced, and the sarcomere length is unchanged after Achilles tendon transection (ATT), and these changes are mitigated with suturing. The method involved in this study was a controlled laboratory study. Two groups of rats underwent ATT on one side with a contralateral control (CTRL): A) ATT with 3 mm removal of the Achilles tendon and no suturing (substantial tendon elongation), and B) ATT with suture repair (minimal tendon elongation). The operated limb was immobilized for 2 wk to reduce load. Four weeks after surgery the rats were euthanized, and hindlimbs were analyzed for tendon length, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle mass, length, fascicle length, sarcomere number and length. No differences were observed between the groups, and in both groups the Achilles tendon length was longer (15.2%, P < 0.001), GM muscle mass was smaller (17.5%, P < 0.001), and muscle length was shorter (8.2%, P < 0.001) on the ATT compared with CTRL side. GM fascicle length was shorter (11.2%, P < 0.001), and sarcomere number was lower (13.8%, P < 0.001) on the ATT side in all regions. Sarcomere length was greater in the proximal (5.8%, P < 0.001) and mid (4.2%, P = 0.003), but not distal region on the ATT side. In this animal model, regardless of suturing, ATT resulted in tendon elongation, loss of muscle mass and length, and reduced serial sarcomere number, which resulted in an "overshoot" lengthening of the sarcomeres.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Following acute Achilles tendon rupture, patients are often left with functional deficits. The specific reason remains largely unknown. The shortened muscle leads to reduced fascicle length, in turn leading to adaptation by reduced serial sarcomere numbers. Surprisingly, this adaptation appears to "overshoot" and lead to increased sarcomere length. The present animal model advances understanding of how muscle sarcomeres, which are difficult to measure in humans, are affected when undue elongation takes place after tendon rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Hoeffner
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rene B Svensson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Franciele Dietrich-Zagonel
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Schefte
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Michael Kjær
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernilla Eliasson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - S Peter Magnusson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
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11
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Raiteri BJ, Lauret L, Hahn D. The force-length relation of the young adult human tibialis anterior. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15693. [PMID: 37461407 PMCID: PMC10350298 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Knowledge of the muscle's lengths at which maximum active isometric force is attained is important for predicting forces during movement. However, there is limited information about the in vivo force-length properties of a human muscle that plays crucial roles during locomotion; the tibialis anterior (TA). We therefore aimed to estimate TA's force-length relation from dorsiflexor torque-angle curves constructed from eight women and eight men. Methods Participants performed maximal voluntary fixed-end contractions with their right ankle dorsiflexors from 0° to 30° plantar flexion. Muscle fascicle lengths were estimated from B-mode ultrasound images, and net ankle joint torques were measured using dynamometry. Fascicle forces were estimated by dividing maximal active torques by literature-derived, angle-specific tendon moment arm lengths while assuming a fixed 50% force contribution of TA to the total dorsiflexor force and accounting for fascicle angles. Results Maximal active torques were higher at 15° than 20° and 30° plantar flexion (2.4-6.4 Nm, p ≤ 0.012), whereas maximal active TA fascicle forces were higher at 15° than 0°, 20° and 30° plantar flexion (25-61 N, p ≤ 0.042), but not different between 15° and 10° plantar flexion (15 N, p = 0.277). TA fascicle shortening magnitudes during fixed-end contractions were larger at 15° than 30° plantar flexion (3.9 mm, p = 0.012), but less at 15° than 0° plantar flexion (-2.4 mm, p = 0.001), with no significant differences (≤0.7 mm, p = 0.871) between TA's superficial and deep muscle compartments. Series elastic element stiffness was lowest and highest at lengths 5% shorter and 5% longer than optimum fascicle length, respectively (-30 and 15 N/mm, p ≤ 0.003). Discussion TA produced its maximum active force at 10-15° plantar flexion, and its normalized force-length relation had ascending and descending limbs that agreed with a simple scaled sarcomere model when active fascicle lengths from within TA's superficial or deep muscle compartment were considered. These findings can be used to inform the properties of the contractile and series elastic elements of Hill-type muscle models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent J. Raiteri
- Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Leon Lauret
- Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Daniel Hahn
- Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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12
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Kim H, Heckman CJ. A dynamic calcium-force relationship model for sag behavior in fast skeletal muscle. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011178. [PMID: 37289805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies using isolated or skinned muscle fibers suggest that the sigmoidal relationship between the intracellular calcium concentration and force production may depend upon muscle type and activity. The goal of this study was to investigate whether and how the calcium-force relationship changes during force production under physiological conditions of muscle excitation and length in fast skeletal muscles. A computational framework was developed to identify the dynamic variation in the calcium-force relationship during force generation over a full physiological range of stimulation frequencies and muscle lengths in cat gastrocnemius muscles. In contrast to the situation in slow muscles such as the soleus, the calcium concentration for the half-maximal force needed to drift rightward to reproduce the progressive force decline, or sag behavior, observed during unfused isometric contractions at the intermediate length under low-frequency stimulation (i.e., 20 Hz). The slope at the calcium concentration for the half-maximal force was required to drift upward for force enhancement during unfused isometric contractions at the intermediate length under high-frequency stimulation (i.e., 40 Hz). The slope variation in the calcium-force relationship played a crucial role in shaping sag behavior across different muscle lengths. The muscle model with dynamic variations in the calcium-force relationship also accounted for the length-force and velocity-force properties measured under full excitation. These results imply that the calcium sensitivity and cooperativity of force-inducing crossbridge formation between actin and myosin filaments may be operationally altered in accordance with the mode of neural excitation and muscle movement in intact fast muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojeong Kim
- Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Convergence Research, DGIST, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, DGIST, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Charles J Heckman
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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13
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Chen Z, Franklin DW. Musculotendon Parameters in Lower Limb Models: Simplifications, Uncertainties, and Muscle Force Estimation Sensitivity. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:1147-1164. [PMID: 36913088 PMCID: PMC10172227 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03166-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Musculotendon parameters are key factors in the Hill-type muscle contraction dynamics, determining the muscle force estimation accuracy of a musculoskeletal model. Their values are mostly derived from muscle architecture datasets, whose emergence has been a major impetus for model development. However, it is often not clear if such parameter update indeed improves simulation accuracy. Our goal is to explain to model users how these parameters are derived and how accurate they are, as well as to what extent errors in parameter values might influence force estimation. We examine in detail the derivation of musculotendon parameters in six muscle architecture datasets and four prominent OpenSim models of the lower limb, and then identify simplifications which could add uncertainties to the derived parameter values. Finally, we analyze the sensitivity of muscle force estimation to these parameters both numerically and analytically. Nine typical simplifications in parameter derivation are identified. Partial derivatives of the Hill-type contraction dynamics are derived. Tendon slack length is determined as the musculotendon parameter that muscle force estimation is most sensitive to, whereas pennation angle is the least impactful. Anatomical measurements alone are not enough to calibrate musculotendon parameters, and the improvement on muscle force estimation accuracy will be limited if the source muscle architecture datasets are the only main update. Model users may check if a dataset or model is free of concerning factors for their research or application requirements. The derived partial derivatives may be used as the gradient for musculotendon parameter calibration. For model development, we demonstrate that it is more promising to focus on other model parameters or components and seek alternative strategies to further increase simulation accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Chen
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - David W Franklin
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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14
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Sahd L, Doubell N, Bennett NC, Kotzé SH. Muscle architecture and muscle fibre type composition in the forelimb of two African mole-rat species, Bathyergus suillus and Heterocephalus glaber. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21557. [PMID: 36630620 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The scratch-digging Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), and the chisel-toothed digging naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) are African mole-rats that differ in their digging strategy. The aim of this study was to determine if these behavioural differences are reflected in the muscle architecture and fibre-type composition of the forelimb muscles. Muscle architecture parameters of 39 forelimb muscles in both species were compared. Furthermore, muscle fibre type composition of 21 forelimb muscles were analysed using multiple staining protocols. In B. suillus, muscles involved with the power stroke of digging (limb retractors and scapula elevators), showed higher muscle mass percentage, force output and shortening capacity compared to those in H. glaber. Additionally, significantly higher percentages of glycolytic fibres were observed in the scapular elevators and digital flexors of B. suillus compared to H. glaber, suggesting that the forelimb muscles involved in digging in B. suillus provide fast, powerful motions for effective burrowing. In contrast, the m. sternohyoideus a head and neck flexor, had significantly more oxidative fibres in H. glaber compared to B. suillus. In addition, significantly greater physiological cross-sectional area and fascicle length values were seen in the neck flexor, m. sternocleidomastoideus, in H. glaber compared to B. suillus, which indicates a possible adaptation for chisel-tooth digging. While functional demands may play a significant role in muscle morphology, the phylogenetic differences between the two species may play an additional role which needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Sahd
- Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Evolutionary Developmental Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Narusa Doubell
- Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sanet H Kotzé
- Division of Clinical Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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15
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Mayfield DL, Cronin NJ, Lichtwark GA. Understanding altered contractile properties in advanced age: insights from a systematic muscle modelling approach. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:309-337. [PMID: 36335506 PMCID: PMC9958200 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01651-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Age-related alterations of skeletal muscle are numerous and present inconsistently, and the effect of their interaction on contractile performance can be nonintuitive. Hill-type muscle models predict muscle force according to well-characterised contractile phenomena. Coupled with simple, yet reasonably realistic activation dynamics, such models consist of parameters that are meaningfully linked to fundamental aspects of muscle excitation and contraction. We aimed to illustrate the utility of a muscle model for elucidating relevant mechanisms and predicting changes in output by simulating the individual and combined effects on isometric force of several known ageing-related adaptations. Simulating literature-informed reductions in free Ca2+ concentration and Ca2+ sensitivity generated predictions at odds qualitatively with the characteristic slowing of contraction speed. Conversely, incorporating slower Ca2+ removal or a fractional increase in type I fibre area emulated expected changes; the former was required to simulate slowing of the twitch measured experimentally. Slower Ca2+ removal more than compensated for force loss arising from a large reduction in Ca2+ sensitivity or moderate reduction in Ca2+ release, producing realistic age-related shifts in the force-frequency relationship. Consistent with empirical data, reductions in free Ca2+ concentration and Ca2+ sensitivity reduced maximum tetanic force only slightly, even when acting in concert, suggesting a modest contribution to lower specific force. Lower tendon stiffness and slower intrinsic shortening speed slowed and prolonged force development in a compliance-dependent manner without affecting force decay. This work demonstrates the advantages of muscle modelling for exploring sources of variation and identifying mechanisms underpinning the altered contractile properties of aged muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean L Mayfield
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, USA.
| | - Neil J Cronin
- Neuromuscular Research Centre, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
| | - Glen A Lichtwark
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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16
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Wang W, Wang D, Li G. Towards improving the accuracy of musculoskeletal simulation of dynamic three-dimensional spine rotations with optimizing model and algorithm. Med Eng Phys 2022; 110:103916. [PMID: 36564141 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2022.103916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accuracy of musculoskeletal simulations greatly relies on model structures and optimization algorithms. This study investigated the unclarified influence of accounting for several commonly-simplified different model components and optimization criteria on spinal musculoskeletal simulations. METHODS The study constructed a full-body musculoskeletal model with passive components of functional spinal units and spinal muscles subject-specifically refined. A muscle redundancy solver was built with 15 optimization criteria. Three-dimensional spine rotations and spinal muscle activities were measured using optical motion capture and electromyogram techniques when eight healthy volunteers performed standing, flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The effect of the model with four different conditions of the passive components and the sensitivity of the 15 optimization criteria on simulations were investigated. RESULTS Accounting for the refined passive components significantly improved the simulation accuracy. Different optimization criteria behaved distinctly for different motions. Generally minimizing the sum of squared muscle activations outperformed the others, with the highest averaged correlation coefficient (0.82) between the estimated erector spinae muscle activations and measured electromyography and with the estimated joint compression forces comparable to in vivo reference data. CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of passive model components and proposes a suitable optimization framework for realistic spinal musculoskeletal simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, SIAT, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; The SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guanglin Li
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, SIAT, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; The SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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17
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Hoeffner R, Svensson RB, Bjerregaard N, Kjær M, Magnusson SP. Persistent Deficits after an Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Narrative Review. TRANSLATIONAL SPORTS MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7445398. [PMID: 38655161 PMCID: PMC11022787 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7445398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Persistent muscle weakness, tendon elongation, and incomplete return to preinjury level are frequent sequelae after acute Achilles tendon rupture, and evidence-based knowledge of how to best rehabilitate the injury is largely absent in the literature. The objective of this review is to illuminate and discuss to what extent an Achilles tendon rupture affects muscle, tendon, and function when assessed with the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), muscle strength, muscle cross-sectional area, tendon length, and the heel-rise test. The patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) data in the literature suggest that the recovery takes longer than 6 months (ATRS, 70 out of 100), that one-year postinjury, the ATRS only reaches 82, and that this does not appear to noticeably improve thereafter. Loss of muscle mass, strength, and function can in some cases be permanent. Over the first 6 months postinjury, the tendon undergoes elongation, which appears to be negatively correlated to heel-rise function. More recently, there has been some interest in how muscle length and excursion is related to the reduced function. The available literature indicates that further research is highly warranted and that efforts to restore normal tendon length may improve the likelihood of returning to preinjury level after an Achilles tendon rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Hoeffner
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rene B. Svensson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicolai Bjerregaard
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Kjær
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stig Peter Magnusson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Malakoutian M, Sanchez CA, Brown SHM, Street J, Fels S, Oxland TR. Biomechanical Properties of Paraspinal Muscles Influence Spinal Loading—A Musculoskeletal Simulation Study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:852201. [PMID: 35721854 PMCID: PMC9201424 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.852201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Paraspinal muscles are vital to the functioning of the spine. Changes in muscle physiological cross-sectional area significantly affect spinal loading, but the importance of other muscle biomechanical properties remains unclear. This study explored the changes in spinal loading due to variation in five muscle biomechanical properties: passive stiffness, slack sarcomere length (SSL), in situ sarcomere length, specific tension, and pennation angle. An enhanced version of a musculoskeletal simulation model of the thoracolumbar spine with 210 muscle fascicles was used for this study and its predictions were validated for several tasks and multiple postures. Ranges of physiologically realistic values were selected for all five muscle parameters and their influence on L4-L5 intradiscal pressure (IDP) was investigated in standing and 36° flexion. We observed large changes in IDP due to changes in passive stiffness, SSL, in situ sarcomere length, and specific tension, often with interesting interplays between the parameters. For example, for upright standing, a change in stiffness value from one tenth to 10 times the baseline value increased the IDP only by 91% for the baseline model but by 945% when SSL was 0.4 μm shorter. Shorter SSL values and higher stiffnesses led to the largest increases in IDP. More changes were evident in flexion, as sarcomere lengths were longer in that posture and thus the passive curve is more influential. Our results highlight the importance of the muscle force-length curve and the parameters associated with it and motivate further experimental studies on in vivo measurement of those properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Malakoutian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- ICORD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - C. Antonio Sanchez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen H. M. Brown
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - John Street
- ICORD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sidney Fels
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Thomas R. Oxland
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- ICORD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Thomas R. Oxland,
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19
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Procedures for obtaining muscle physiology parameters during a gracilis free-functioning muscle transfer in adult patients with brachial plexus injury. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6095. [PMID: 35414165 PMCID: PMC9005531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09861-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of muscle mechanics allows for the creation of models that closely mimic human muscle function so they can be used to study human locomotion and evaluate surgical intervention. This includes knowledge of muscle-tendon parameters required for accurate prediction of muscle forces. However, few studies report experimental data obtained directly from whole human muscle due to the invasive nature of these experiments. This article presents an intraoperative, in vivo measurement protocol for whole muscle-tendon parameters that include muscle-tendon unit length, sarcomere length, passive tension, and active tension in response to external stimulation. The advantage of this protocol is the ability to obtain these rare experimental data in situ in addition to muscle volume and weight since the gracilis is also completely removed from the leg. The entire protocol including the surgical steps for gracilis harvest takes ~ 3 h. Actual testing of the gracilis where experimental data is measured takes place within a 30-min window during surgery.
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20
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Sundar S, Rimkus B, Meemaduma PS, deLap S, LaFave N, Racca AW, Hettige P, Moore J, Gage M, Shehaj A, Konow N. Bridging the muscle genome to phenome across multiple biological scales. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:jeb243630. [PMID: 35288729 PMCID: PMC9080751 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Muscle is highly hierarchically organized, with functions shaped by genetically controlled expression of protein ensembles with different isoform profiles at the sarcomere scale. However, it remains unclear how isoform profiles shape whole-muscle performance. We compared two mouse hindlimb muscles, the slow, relatively parallel-fibered soleus and the faster, more pennate-fibered tibialis anterior (TA), across scales: from gene regulation, isoform expression and translation speed, to force-length-velocity-power for intact muscles. Expression of myosin heavy-chain (MHC) isoforms directly corresponded with contraction velocity. The fast-twitch TA with fast MHC isoforms had faster unloaded velocities (actin sliding velocity, Vactin; peak fiber velocity, Vmax) than the slow-twitch soleus. For the soleus, Vactin was biased towards Vactin for purely slow MHC I, despite this muscle's even fast and slow MHC isoform composition. Our multi-scale results clearly identified a consistent and significant dampening in fiber shortening velocities for both muscles, underscoring an indirect correlation between Vactin and fiber Vmax that may be influenced by differences in fiber architecture, along with internal loading due to both passive and active effects. These influences correlate with the increased peak force and power in the slightly more pennate TA, leading to a broader length range of near-optimal force production. Conversely, a greater force-velocity curvature in the near-parallel fibered soleus highlights the fine-tuning by molecular-scale influences including myosin heavy and light chain expression along with whole-muscle characteristics. Our results demonstrate that the individual gene, protein and whole-fiber characteristics do not directly reflect overall muscle performance but that intricate fine-tuning across scales shapes specialized muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- SaiLavanyaa Sundar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Barbora Rimkus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Prabath S. Meemaduma
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Samuel deLap
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Nicholas LaFave
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Alice W. Racca
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Pabodha Hettige
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Jeffrey Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Matthew Gage
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Andrea Shehaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Nicolai Konow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- UMass Movement Center, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
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21
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Konno RN, Nigam N, Wakeling JM, Ross SA. The Contributions of Extracellular Matrix and Sarcomere Properties to Passive Muscle Stiffness in Cerebral Palsy. Front Physiol 2022; 12:804188. [PMID: 35153814 PMCID: PMC8827041 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.804188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral palsy results from an upper motor neuron lesion and significantly affects skeletal muscle stiffness. The increased stiffness that occurs is partly a result of changes in the microstructural components of muscle. In particular, alterations in extracellular matrix, sarcomere length, fibre diameter, and fat content have been reported; however, experimental studies have shown wide variability in the degree of alteration. Many studies have reported changes in the extracellular matrix, while others have reported no differences. A consistent finding is increased sarcomere length in cerebral palsy affected muscle. Often many components are altered simultaneously, making it difficult to determine the individual effects on muscle stiffness. In this study, we use a three dimensional modelling approach to isolate individual effects of microstructural alterations typically occurring due to cerebral palsy on whole muscle behaviour; in particular, the effects of extracellular matrix volume fraction, stiffness, and sarcomere length. Causation between the changes to the microstructure and the overall muscle response is difficult to determine experimentally, since components of muscle cannot be manipulated individually; however, utilising a modelling approach allows greater control over each factor. We find that extracellular matrix volume fraction has the largest effect on whole muscle stiffness and mitigates effects from sarcomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan N. Konno
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Ryan N. Konno
| | - Nilima Nigam
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - James M. Wakeling
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Stephanie A. Ross
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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22
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Labib M, Amirouche F, Pradhan S, Bobko A, Koh J. A Biomechanical Analysis of Shoulder Muscle Excursions During Abduction, After the Treatment of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears Using Superior Capsular Reconstruction (SCR), Bursal Acromial Reconstruction (BAR), and SCR with BAR. J Shoulder Elb Arthroplast 2022; 6:24715492221109001. [PMID: 35782774 PMCID: PMC9240589 DOI: 10.1177/24715492221109001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Current understanding of the biomechanical effects of treatment options for irreparable rotator cuff (RC) tears is lacking. This study examines how shoulder muscle lengths and excursions are affected by superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), bursal acromial reconstruction (BAR), and SCR with BAR, following a complete supraspinatus tear. Method Six fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were examined. Deltoid and RC muscle lengths were measured at 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90° of shoulder abduction under six conditions: (1) intact, (2) partially torn supraspinatus, (3) completely torn supraspinatus, (4) SCR, (5) SCR with BAR, and (6) BAR. Muscle excursions from 0–90° of abduction were then calculated. Results Subscapularis muscle lengths after SCR, BAR, and SCR with BAR were significantly greater (post-hoc Tukey HSD test; p < .01) compared to the other conditions. Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and deltoid lengths were not significantly different (ANOVA test; p > .01) between the conditions. All muscle excursions remained statistically similar between the conditions (ANOVA test; p > .01). Conclusion These findings demonstrate that the use of SCR, BAR, or SCR with BAR for a complete supraspinatus tear, may increase subscapularis muscle length while maintaining other shoulder muscle lengths. An increase in subscapularis length can allow for more effective subscapularis muscle strengthening and increased compensatory function in the long term. Additionally, all shoulder muscle excursions are preserved after partial or complete supraspinatus tears and after SCR, BAR, or SCR with BAR. Therefore, these surgical treatments can initially normalize shoulder muscle function during 0–90° of abduction, after an irreparable supraspinatus tear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Labib
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Farid Amirouche
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Sonia Pradhan
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aimee Bobko
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jason Koh
- Department of Orthopaedics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
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23
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Kositsky A, Saxby DJ, Lesch KJ, Barrett RS, Kröger H, Lahtinen O, Diamond LE, Korhonen RK, Stenroth L. In vivo assessment of the passive stretching response of the bi-compartmental human semitendinosus muscle using shear wave elastography. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 132:438-447. [PMID: 34941438 PMCID: PMC8799393 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00473.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The semitendinosus muscle contains distinct proximal and distal compartments arranged anatomically in-series but separated by a tendinous inscription, with each compartment innervated by separate nerve branches. Although extensively investigated in other mammals, compartment-specific mechanical properties within the human semitendinosus have scarcely been assessed in vivo. Experimental data obtained during muscle-tendon unit stretching (e.g., slack angle) can also be used to validate and/or improve musculoskeletal model estimates of semitendinosus muscle force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the passive stretching response of proximal and distal humans semitendinosus compartments to distal joint extension. Using two-dimensional shear wave elastography, we bilaterally obtained shear moduli of both semitendinosus compartments from 14 prone-positioned individuals at ten knee flexion angles (from 90° to 0° [full extension] at 10° intervals). Passive muscle mechanical characteristics (slack angle, slack shear modulus, and the slope of the increase in shear modulus) were determined for each semitendinosus compartment by fitting a piecewise exponential model to the shear modulus-joint angle curves. We found no differences between compartments or legs for slack angle, slack shear modulus, or the slope of the increase in shear modulus. We also found the experimentally determined slack angle occurred at ~15-80° higher knee flexion angles compared to estimates from two commonly used musculoskeletal models, depending on participant and model used. Overall, these findings demonstrate that passive shear modulus-joint angle curves do not differ between proximal and distal human semitendinosus compartments, and provide experimental data to improve semitendinosus force estimates derived from musculoskeletal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Kositsky
- Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - David J Saxby
- Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kim J Lesch
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rod S Barrett
- Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Heikki Kröger
- Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Kuopio Musculoskeletal Research Unit (KMRU), University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Lahtinen
- Diagnostic Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Unit of Radiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Laura E Diamond
- Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lauri Stenroth
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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24
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Binder-Markey BI, Sychowski D, Lieber RL. Systematic review of skeletal muscle passive mechanics experimental methodology. J Biomech 2021; 129:110839. [PMID: 34736082 PMCID: PMC8671228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding passive skeletal muscle mechanics is critical in defining structure-function relationships in skeletal muscle and ultimately understanding pathologically impaired muscle. In this systematic review, we performed an exhaustive literature search using PRISMA guidelines to quantify passive muscle mechanical properties, summarized the methods used to create these data, and make recommendations to standardize future studies. We screened over 7500 papers and found 80 papers that met the inclusion criteria. These papers reported passive muscle mechanics from single muscle fiber to whole muscle across 16 species and 54 distinct muscles. We found a wide range of methodological differences in sample selection, preparation, testing, and analysis. The systematic review revealed that passive muscle mechanics is species and scale dependent-specifically within mammals, the passive mechanics increases non-linearly with scale. However, a detailed understanding of passive mechanics is still unclear because the varied methodologies impede comparisons across studies, scales, species, and muscles. Therefore, we recommend the following: smaller scales may be maintained within storage solution prior to testing, when samples are tested statically use 2-3 min of relaxation time, stress normalization at the whole muscle level be to physiologic cross-sectional area, strain normalization be to sarcomere length when possible, and an exponential equation be used to fit the data. Additional studies using these recommendations will allow exploration of the multiscale relationship of passive force within and across species to provide the fundamental knowledge needed to improve our understanding of passive muscle mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I Binder-Markey
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and School of Biomedical Engineering, Sciences, and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Edward Hines V.A. Medical Center, Hines, IL, USA.
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25
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Hyman SA, Wu IT, Vasquez-Bolanos LS, Norman MB, Esparza MC, Bremner SN, Dorn SN, Ramirez I, Fithian DC, Lane JG, Singh A, Ward SR. Supraspinatus muscle architecture and physiology in a rabbit model of tenotomy and repair. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:1708-1717. [PMID: 34647843 PMCID: PMC8828274 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01119.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic rotator cuff tears can cause severe functional deficits. Addressing the chronic fatty and fibrotic muscle changes is of high clinical interest; however, the architectural and physiological consequences of chronic tear and repair are poorly characterized. We present a detailed architectural and physiological analysis of chronic tear and repair (both over 8 and 16 wk) compared with age-matched control rabbit supraspinatus (SSP) muscles. Using female New Zealand White Rabbits (n = 30, n = 6/group) under 2% isoflurane anesthesia, the SSP was surgically isolated and maximum isometric force was measured at four to six muscle lengths. Architectural analysis was performed, and maximum isometric stress was computed. Whole muscle length-tension curves were generated using architectural measurements to compare experimental physiology to theoretical predictions. Architectural measures are consistent with persistent radial and longitudinal atrophy over time in tenotomy that fails to recover after repair. Maximum isometric force was significantly decreased after 16 wk tenotomy and not significantly improved after repair. Peak isometric force reported here are greater than prior reports of rabbit SSP force after tenotomy. Peak stress was not significantly different between groups and consistent with prior literature of SSP stress. Muscle strain during contraction was significantly decreased after 8 wk of tenotomy and repair, indicating effects of tear and repair on muscle function. The experimental length-tension data were overlaid with predicted curves for each experimental group (generated from structural data), exposing the altered structure-function relationship for tenotomy and repair over time. Data presented here contribute to understanding the physiological implications of disease and repair in the rotator cuff.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We utilize an established method to measure the length-tension relationship for the rabbit supraspinatus in normal, torn, and repaired muscles. We then perform architectural analysis to evaluate structural changes after tear and repair. Although peak isometric force is lower in the tear and repair groups, there are no differences in peak stresses across groups. These findings indicate persistent structural changes (both radial and longitudinal atrophy) and physiological deficiencies (decreased peak force and uncoupling structure-function relationship) after tenotomy that do not significantly recover after repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydnee A Hyman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Isabella T Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Laura S Vasquez-Bolanos
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Mackenzie B Norman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
- Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Mary C Esparza
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Shannon N Bremner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Shanelle N Dorn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Ivan Ramirez
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Donald C Fithian
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - John G Lane
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Anshuman Singh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, California
| | - Samuel R Ward
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
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26
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Persad LS, Binder-Markey BI, Shin AY, Kaufman KR, Lieber RL. In vivo human gracilis whole-muscle passive stress-sarcomere strain relationship. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272026. [PMID: 34355750 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We measured the passive mechanical properties of intact, living human gracilis muscles (n=11 individuals, 10 male and 1 female, age: 33±12 years, mass: 89±23 kg, height: 177±8 cm). Measurements were performed in patients undergoing surgery for free-functioning myocutaneous tissue transfer of the gracilis muscle to restore elbow flexion after brachial plexus injury. Whole-muscle force of the gracilis tendon was measured in four joint configurations (JC1-JC4) with a buckle force transducer placed at the distal tendon. Sarcomere length was also measured by biopsy from the proximal gracilis muscle. After the muscle was removed, a three-dimensional volumetric reconstruction of the muscle was created via photogrammetry. Muscle length from JC1 to JC4 increased by 3.3±1.0, 7.7±1.2, 10.5±1.3 and 13.4±1.2 cm, respectively, corresponding to 15%, 34%, 46% and 59% muscle fiber strain, respectively. Muscle volume and an average optimal fiber length of 23.1±0.7 cm yielded an average muscle physiological cross-sectional area of 6.8±0.7 cm2 which is approximately 3 times that measured previously from cadaveric specimens. Absolute passive tension increased from 0.90±0.21 N in JC1 to 16.50±2.64 N in JC4. As expected, sarcomere length also increased from 3.24±0.08 µm at JC1 to 3.63±0.07 µm at JC4, which are on the descending limb of the human sarcomere length-tension curve. Peak passive muscle stress was 27.8±5.5 kPa in JC4 and muscle modulus ranged from 44.8 MPa in JC1 to 125.7 MPa in JC4. Comparison with other mammalian species indicates that human muscle passive mechanical properties are more similar to rodent muscle than to rabbit muscle. These data provide direct measurements of whole-human muscle passive mechanical properties that can be used in modeling studies and for understanding comparative passive mechanical properties among mammalian muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lomas S Persad
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Benjamin I Binder-Markey
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kenton R Kaufman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Hines V.A. Hospital, Maywood, IL 60141, USA.,Departments of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60208, USA
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27
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Ross SA, Wakeling JM. The energy of muscle contraction. IV. Greater mass of larger muscles decreases contraction efficiency. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210484. [PMID: 34583567 PMCID: PMC8479364 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
While skeletal muscle mass has been shown to decrease mass-specific mechanical work per cycle, it is not yet known how muscle mass alters contraction efficiency. In this study, we examined the effect of muscle mass on mass-specific metabolic cost and efficiency during cyclic contractions in simulated muscles of different sizes. We additionally explored how tendon and its stiffness alters the effects of muscle mass on mass-specific work, mass-specific metabolic cost and efficiency across different muscle sizes. To examine contraction efficiency, we estimated the metabolic cost of the cycles using established cost models. We found that for motor contractions in which the muscle was primarily active during shortening, greater muscle mass resulted in lower contraction efficiency, primarily due to lower mass-specific mechanical work per cycle. The addition of a tendon in series with the mass-enhanced muscle model improved the mass-specific work and efficiency per cycle with greater mass for motor contractions, particularly with a shorter excitation duty cycle, despite higher predicted metabolic cost. The results of this study indicate that muscle mass is an important determinant of whole muscle contraction efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Ross
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - James M. Wakeling
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
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28
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Lieber RL, Binder-Markey B. Biochemical and structural basis of the passive mechanical properties of whole skeletal muscle. J Physiol 2021; 599:3809-3823. [PMID: 34101193 PMCID: PMC8364503 DOI: 10.1113/jp280867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Passive mechanical properties of whole skeletal muscle are not as well understood as active mechanical properties. Both the structural basis for passive mechanical properties and the properties themselves are challenging to determine because it is not clear which structures within skeletal muscle actually bear passive loads and there are not established standards by which to make mechanical measurements. Evidence suggests that titin bears the majority of the passive load within the single muscle cell. However, at larger scales, such as fascicles and muscles, there is emerging evidence that the extracellular matrix bears the major part of the load. Complicating the ability to quantify and compare across size scales, muscles and species, definitions of muscle passive properties such as stress, strain, modulus and stiffness can be made relative to many reference parameters. These uncertainties make a full understanding of whole muscle passive mechanical properties and modelling these properties very difficult. Future studies defining the specific load bearing structures and their composition and organization are required to fully understand passive mechanics of the whole muscle and develop therapies to treat disorders in which passive muscle properties are altered such as muscular dystrophy, traumatic laceration, and contracture due to upper motor neuron lesion as seen in spinal cord injury, stroke and cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L. Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and
Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Edward Hines V.A. Medical Center, Hines, IL USA
| | - Ben Binder-Markey
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
and School of Biomedical Engineering, Sciences and Health Systems, Drexel
University, Philadelphia, PA USA
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29
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Rose KAR, Tickle PG, Elsey RM, Sellers WI, Crossley DA, Codd JR. Scaling of axial muscle architecture in juvenile Alligator mississippiensis reveals an enhanced performance capacity of accessory breathing mechanisms. J Anat 2021; 239:1273-1286. [PMID: 34302302 PMCID: PMC8602021 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative functional anatomy of amniote thoracic and abdominal regions is crucial to understanding constraints on and adaptations for facilitating simultaneous breathing and locomotion. Crocodilians have diverse locomotor modes and variable breathing mechanics facilitated by basal and derived (accessory) muscles. However, the inherent flexibility of these systems is not well studied, and the functional specialisation of the crocodilian trunk is yet to be investigated. Increases in body size and trunk stiffness would be expected to cause a disproportionate increase in muscle force demands and therefore constrain the basal costal aspiration mechanism, necessitating changes in respiratory mechanics. Here, we describe the anatomy of the trunk muscles, their properties that determine muscle performance (mass, length and physiological cross‐sectional area [PCSA]) and investigate their scaling in juvenile Alligator mississippiensis spanning an order of magnitude in body mass (359 g–5.5 kg). Comparatively, the expiratory muscles (transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, iliocostalis), which compress the trunk, have greater relative PCSA being specialised for greater force‐generating capacity, while the inspiratory muscles (diaphragmaticus, truncocaudalis ischiotruncus, ischiopubis), which create negative internal pressure, have greater relative fascicle lengths, being adapted for greater working range and contraction velocity. Fascicle lengths of the accessory diaphragmaticus scaled with positive allometry in the alligators examined, enhancing contractile capacity, in line with this muscle's ability to modulate both tidal volume and breathing frequency in response to energetic demand during terrestrial locomotion. The iliocostalis, an accessory expiratory muscle, also demonstrated positive allometry in fascicle lengths and mass. All accessory muscles of the infrapubic abdominal wall demonstrated positive allometry in PCSA, which would enhance their force‐generating capacity. Conversely, the basal tetrapod expiratory pump (transversus abdominis) scaled isometrically, which may indicate a decreased reliance on this muscle with ontogeny. Collectively, these findings would support existing anecdotal evidence that crocodilians shift their breathing mechanics as they increase in size. Furthermore, the functional specialisation of the diaphragmaticus and compliance of the body wall in the lumbar region against which it works may contribute to low‐cost breathing in crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh A R Rose
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Wales, UK
| | - Peter G Tickle
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ruth M Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Grand Chenier, LA, USA
| | - William I Sellers
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dane A Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan R Codd
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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30
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Kim H, Ju Y. Effective Stimulation Type and Waveform for Force Control of the Motor Unit System: Implications for Intraspinal Microstimulation. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:645984. [PMID: 34262423 PMCID: PMC8274570 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.645984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The input-output properties of spinal motoneurons and muscle fibers comprising motor units are highly non-linear. The goal of this study was to investigate the stimulation type (continuous versus discrete) and waveform (linear versus non-linear) controlling force production at the motor unit level under intraspinal microstimulation. We constructed a physiological model of the motor unit with computer software enabling virtual experiments on single motor units under a wide range of input conditions, including intracellular and synaptic stimulation of the motoneuron and variation in the muscle length under neuromodulatory inputs originating from the brainstem. Continuous current intensity and impulse current frequency waveforms were inversely estimated such that the motor unit could linearly develop and relax the muscle force within a broad range of contraction speeds and levels during isometric contraction at various muscle lengths. Under both continuous and discrete stimulation, the stimulation waveform non-linearity increased with increasing speed and level of force production and with decreasing muscle length. Only discrete stimulation could control force relaxation at all muscle lengths. In contrast, continuous stimulation could not control force relaxation at high contraction levels in shorter-than-optimal muscles due to persistent inward current saturation on the motoneuron dendrites. These results indicate that non-linear adjustment of the stimulation waveform is more effective in regard to varying the force profile and muscle length and that the discrete stimulation protocol is a more robust approach for designing stimulation patterns aimed at neural interfaces for precise movement control under pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojeong Kim
- Division of Biotechnology, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Youngchang Ju
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea
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31
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Persad LS, Ates F, Shin AY, Lieber RL, Kaufman KR. Measuring and modeling in vivo human gracilis muscle-tendon unit length. J Biomech 2021; 125:110592. [PMID: 34218039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal models rely heavily on the use of an anatomical dataset and clearly defined assumptions to accurately model the subject being studied. Therefore, it is important to understand the limitations of using musculoskeletal models to study individuals. This paper describes a method of measuring in vivo gracilis muscle-tendon unit length and presents a comparison of experimental data versus predictions from four musculoskeletal models in OpenSim. The largest errors occurred when the knee was fully extended. At this position, the absolute average muscle-tendon unit length error was 7% and the absolute average fiber length error was between 15% and 32%. However, the variability of these errors was significant. Manual linear scaling based on an anthropometric database did not capture the variability observed in subjects. The fiber length errors observed are predicted to have a significant impact on muscle force production that may not represent true subject specific force-length relationship of the gracilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lomas S Persad
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Filiz Ates
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Alexander Y Shin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Kenton R Kaufman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
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32
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Konno RN, Nigam N, Wakeling JM. Modelling extracellular matrix and cellular contributions to whole muscle mechanics. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249601. [PMID: 33798249 PMCID: PMC8018661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle tissue has a highly complex and heterogeneous structure comprising several physical length scales. In the simplest model of muscle tissue, it can be represented as a one dimensional nonlinear spring in the direction of muscle fibres. However, at the finest level, muscle tissue includes a complex network of collagen fibres, actin and myosin proteins, and other cellular materials. This study shall derive an intermediate physical model which encapsulates the major contributions of the muscle components to the elastic response apart from activation-related along-fibre responses. The micro-mechanical factors in skeletal muscle tissue (eg. connective tissue, fluid, and fibres) can be homogenized into one material aggregate that will capture the behaviour of the combination of material components. In order to do this, the corresponding volume fractions for each type of material need to be determined by comparing the stress-strain relationship for a volume containing each material. This results in a model that accounts for the micro-mechanical features found in muscle and can therefore be used to analyze effects of neuro-muscular diseases such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophies. The purpose of this study is to construct a model of muscle tissue that, through choosing the correct material parameters based on experimental data, will accurately capture the mechanical behaviour of whole muscle. This model is then used to look at the impacts of the bulk modulus and material parameters on muscle deformation and strain energy-density distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan N. Konno
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Nilima Nigam
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James M. Wakeling
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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33
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Tijs C, Konow N, Biewener AA. Effect of muscle stimulation intensity on the heterogeneous function of regions within an architecturally complex muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 130:941-951. [PMID: 33411643 PMCID: PMC8262785 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00514.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle has fiber architectures ranging from simple to complex, alongside variations in fiber-type and neuro-anatomical compartmentalization. However, the functional implications of muscle subdivision into discrete functional units remain poorly understood. The rat medial gastrocnemius has well-characterized regions with distinct architectures and fiber type composition. Here, force-length and force-velocity contractions were performed for two stimulation intensities (supramaximal and submaximal) and for three structural units (whole muscle belly, proximal region, and distal region) to assess the effect of muscle compartmentalization on contractile force-length-velocity relationships and optimal speed for power production. Additionally, fiber strain, fiber rotation, pennation, and architectural gearing were quantified. Our results suggest that the proximal and distal muscle regions have fundamentally different physiological function. During supramaximal activation, the proximal region has shorter (8.4 ± 0.8 mm versus 10.9 ± 0.7 mm) fibers and steeper (28.7 ± 11.0° versus 19.6 ± 6.3°) fiber angles at optimum length, and operates over a larger (17.9 ± 3.8% versus 12.6 ± 2.7%) range of its force-length curve. The proximal region also exhibits larger changes in pennation angle (5.6 ± 2.2°/mm versus 2.4 ± 1.5°/mm muscle shortening) and architectural gearing (1.82 ± 0.53 versus 1.25 ± 0.24), whereas the distal region exhibits greater peak shortening speed (96.0 mm/s versus 81.3 mm/s) and 18-27% greater optimal speed. Overall, similar patterns were observed during submaximal activation. These regional differences in physiological function with respect to the whole muscle highlight how variation in motor recruitment could fundamentally shift regional functional patterns within a single muscle, which likely has important implications for whole muscle force and work output in vivo.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that muscle compartmentalization can influence whole muscle contractile properties, with slower-fibered proximal rat medial gastrocnemius undergoing larger changes in pennation angle and architectural gearing, whereas the faster-fibered distal region achieves greater peak and optimal shortening velocity, and power output. Consequently, regional variation in motor recruitment can fundamentally influence functional patterns within a single muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Tijs
- Concord Field Station, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nicolai Konow
- Concord Field Station, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew A Biewener
- Concord Field Station, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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34
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Surgical Mobilization of Skeletal Muscles Changes Functional Properties-Implications for Tendon Transfers. J Hand Surg Am 2021; 46:341.e1-341.e10. [PMID: 33243591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tendon transfer surgery restores function by rerouting working muscle-tendon units to replace the function of injured or paralyzed muscles. This procedure requires mobilizing a donor muscle relative to its surrounding myofascial connections, which improves the muscle's new line of action and increases excursion. However, the biomechanical effect of mobilization on a donor muscle's force-generating function has not been previously studied under in vivo conditions. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of surgical mobilization on active and passive biomechanical properties of 3 large rabbit hind limb muscles. METHODS Myofascial connections were mobilized stepwise from the distal end to the proximal end of muscles (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of muscle length) and their active and passive length-tension curves were measured after each degree of mobilization. RESULTS Second toe extensor, a short-fibered muscle, exhibited a 30% decline in peak stress and 70% decline in passive stress, whereas extensor digitorum longus, a short-fibered muscle, and tibialis anterior, a long-fibered muscle, both exhibited similar smaller declines in active (about 18%) and passive stress (about 65%). CONCLUSIONS The results highlight 3 important points: (1) a trade-off exists between increasing muscle mobility and decreasing force-generating capacity; (2) intermuscular force transmission is important, especially in second toe extensor, because it was able to generate 70% of its premobilization active force although most fibers were freed from their native origin; and (3) muscle architecture is not the major influence on mobilization-induced force impairment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These data demonstrate that surgical mobilization itself alters the passive and active force-generating capacity of skeletal muscles. Thus, surgical mobilization should not be viewed simply as a method to redirect the line of action of a donor muscle because this procedure has an impact on the functional properties of the donor muscle itself.
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Bishop PJ, Michel KB, Falisse A, Cuff AR, Allen VR, De Groote F, Hutchinson JR. Computational modelling of muscle fibre operating ranges in the hindlimb of a small ground bird (Eudromia elegans), with implications for modelling locomotion in extinct species. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008843. [PMID: 33793558 PMCID: PMC8016346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The arrangement and physiology of muscle fibres can strongly influence musculoskeletal function and whole-organismal performance. However, experimental investigation of muscle function during in vivo activity is typically limited to relatively few muscles in a given system. Computational models and simulations of the musculoskeletal system can partly overcome these limitations, by exploring the dynamics of muscles, tendons and other tissues in a robust and quantitative fashion. Here, a high-fidelity, 26-degree-of-freedom musculoskeletal model was developed of the hindlimb of a small ground bird, the elegant-crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans, ~550 g), including all the major muscles of the limb (36 actuators per leg). The model was integrated with biplanar fluoroscopy (XROMM) and forceplate data for walking and running, where dynamic optimization was used to estimate muscle excitations and fibre length changes throughout both gaits. Following this, a series of static simulations over the total range of physiological limb postures were performed, to circumscribe the bounds of possible variation in fibre length. During gait, fibre lengths for all muscles remained between 0.5 to 1.21 times optimal fibre length, but operated mostly on the ascending limb and plateau of the active force-length curve, a result that parallels previous experimental findings for birds, humans and other species. However, the ranges of fibre length varied considerably among individual muscles, especially when considered across the total possible range of joint excursion. Net length change of muscle-tendon units was mostly less than optimal fibre length, sometimes markedly so, suggesting that approaches that use muscle-tendon length change to estimate optimal fibre length in extinct species are likely underestimating this important parameter for many muscles. The results of this study clarify and broaden understanding of muscle function in extant animals, and can help refine approaches used to study extinct species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Bishop
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Krijn B. Michel
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Antoine Falisse
- Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew R. Cuff
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian R. Allen
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | | | - John R. Hutchinson
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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36
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Fukano M, Tsukahara Y, Takei S, Nose-Ogura S, Fujii T, Torii S. Recovery of Abdominal Muscle Thickness and Contractile Function in Women after Childbirth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18042130. [PMID: 33671663 PMCID: PMC7926552 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal muscles may be both morphologically and functionally affected by pregnancy. Dysfunction of the muscles can lead to persistent postpartum low back pain. The recovery process of the abdominal muscles following childbirth is not well understood. This study aimed to demonstrate the changes in the thickness and contractile function of abdominal muscles during the first six months postpartum. Nine perinatal and 15 nulliparous females participated. The thicknesses and contraction/relaxation thickness ratios of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), internal abdominal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) were measured using ultrasound images from 36–39 weeks’ gestation until six months postpartum. The RA, IO, and TrA muscles were thinner in perinatal females than controls at 36–39 weeks of gestation (4.8 vs. 9.47 mm (RA), 5.45 vs. 7.73 mm (IO), 2.56 vs. 3.38 mm (TrA), respectively). The thinner IO muscle persisted for six months after delivery. The decreased TrA thickness ratio persisted until four months post-delivery. Abdominal muscle thickness and contractile function decreased in the postpartum period. Therefore, abdominal muscle exercises might help prevent postpartum symptoms; however, because deterioration of muscle function is significant in the first four months, careful attention should be paid to exercise intensity. The study limitation was a relatively small sample size, thus future studies should involve more participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mako Fukano
- College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Saitama 135-8548, Japan
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 169-8050, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-48-720-6442
| | - Yuka Tsukahara
- Institute for Integrated Sports Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan;
- Waseda Institute for Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 169-8050, Japan
| | - Seira Takei
- Orthopaedic Surgery, Sensory and Motor System Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan;
- Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development, Waseda University, Saitama 169-8050, Japan
| | - Sayaka Nose-Ogura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan; (S.N.-O.); (T.F.)
| | - Tomoyuki Fujii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan; (S.N.-O.); (T.F.)
| | - Suguru Torii
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 169-8050, Japan;
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Roux A, Lecompte J, Iordanoff I, Laporte S. Modeling of muscular activation of the muscle-tendon complex using discrete element method. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2021; 24:1184-1194. [PMID: 33416406 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2020.1870039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The tearing of a muscle-tendon complex (MTC) is caused by an eccentric contraction; however, the structures involved and the mechanisms of rupture are not clearly identified. The passive mechanical behavior the MTC has already been modeled and validated with the discrete element method. The muscular activation is the next needed step. The aim of this study is to model the muscle fiber activation and the muscular activation of the MTC to validate their active mechanical behaviors. Each point of the force/length relationship of the MTC (using a parabolic law for the force/length relationship of muscle fibers) is obtained with two steps: 1) a passive tensile (or contractile) test until the desired elongation is reached and 2) fiber activation during a position holding that can be managed thanks to the Discrete Element model. The muscular activation is controlled by the activation of muscle fiber. The global force/length relationship of a single fiber and of the complete MTC during muscular activation is in agreement with literature. The influence of the external shape of the structure and the pennation angle are also investigated. Results show that the different constituents of the MTC (extracellular matrix, tendon), and the geometry, play an important role during the muscular activation and enable to decrease the maximal isometric force of the MTC. Moreover, the maximal isometric force decreases when the pennation angle increases. Further studies will combine muscular activation with a stretching of the MTC, until rupture, in order to numerically reproduce the tearing of the MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Roux
- Arts et Métiers-Institute of Technology, Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, LBM, Paris, France.,Arts et Métiers-Institute of Technology, I2M Bordeaux, France
| | - Jennyfer Lecompte
- Arts et Métiers-Institute of Technology, Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, LBM, Paris, France
| | - Ivan Iordanoff
- Arts et Métiers-Institute of Technology, I2M Bordeaux, France
| | - Sébastien Laporte
- Arts et Métiers-Institute of Technology, Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, LBM, Paris, France
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38
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Goldman SM, Feng JP, Corona BT. Volumetric muscle loss disrupts length-dependent architectural and functional characteristics of skeletal muscle. Connect Tissue Res 2021; 62:72-82. [PMID: 32660287 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2020.1789608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose/Aim: Skeletal muscle architecture is a primary determinant of function. Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury is destructive; however, the impact on muscle architecture is uncharacterized. Methods: Architectural and functional effects of VML were assessed in rat tibialis anterior (TA) muscle model 4 weeks post-injury. Results: VML caused a 31% and 33% reduction in muscle weight (p < 0.001) and fiber length (p = 0.002), respectively, culminating a 34% reduction of fiber to muscle length ratio (FL:ML; p < 0.001). Fiber pennation angle (+14%; p = 0.150) and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA; -12%; p = 0.220) were unchanged. VML injury reduced peak isometric force (Po) by 36% (p < 0.001), specific force (sPo = Po/PCSA) by 41% (vs. Po, p > 0.999), and force per gram muscle weight (Po/mw) by 18% (vs. Po, p < 0.001). VML injury increased the length at which Po was produced (Lo) by 8% (p = 0.009), and reduced functional excursion by 35% (p = 0.035). Conclusion: The architectural changes after VML injury preserved PCSA, and therefore preserved "potential" maximal force-producing capacity. At most, only half the Po deficit was due directly to the cumulative effect of horizontal and longitudinal tissue loss. Highlighting the impact of longitudinal muscle loss, VML injury reduced fiber length, and FL:ML and grossly disrupted length-dependent functional properties. These findings raise the importance of augmenting length-dependent muscle properties to optimize functional recovery after VML injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Goldman
- Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine Task Area, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research , Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.,DoD-VA Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence , Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan P Feng
- Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine Task Area, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research , Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin T Corona
- Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine Task Area, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research , Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
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Ryan DS, Domínguez S, Ross SA, Nigam N, Wakeling JM. The Energy of Muscle Contraction. II. Transverse Compression and Work. Front Physiol 2020; 11:538522. [PMID: 33281608 PMCID: PMC7689187 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.538522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we examined how the strain energies within a muscle are related to changes in longitudinal force when the muscle is exposed to an external transverse load. We implemented a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of contracting muscle using the principle of minimum total energy and allowing the redistribution of energy through different strain energy-densities. This allowed us to determine the importance of the strain energy-densities to the transverse forces developed by the muscle. We ran a series of in silica experiments on muscle blocks varying in initial pennation angle, muscle length, and external transverse load. As muscle contracts it maintains a near constant volume. As such, any changes in muscle length are balanced by deformations in the transverse directions such as muscle thickness or muscle width. Muscle develops transverse forces as it expands. In many situations external forces act to counteract these transverse forces and the muscle responds to external transverse loads while both passive and active. The muscle blocks used in our simulations decreased in thickness and pennation angle when passively compressed and pushed back on the load when they were activated. Activation of the compressed muscle blocks led either to an increase or decrease in muscle thickness depending on whether the initial pennation angle was less than or greater than 15°, respectively. Furthermore, the strain energy increased and redistributed across the different strain-energy potentials during contraction. The volumetric strain energy-density varied with muscle length and pennation angle and was reduced with greater transverse load for most initial muscle lengths and pennation angles. External transverse load reduced the longitudinal muscle force for initial pennation angles of β0 = 0°. Whereas for pennate muscle (β0 > 0°) longitudinal force changed (increase or decrease) depending on the muscle length, pennation angle and the direction of the external load relative to the muscle fibres. For muscle blocks with initial pennation angles β0 ≤ 20° the reduction in longitudinal muscle force coincided with a reduction in volumetric strain energy-density.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Ryan
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie A Ross
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Nilima Nigam
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - James M Wakeling
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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40
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Hyman SA, Norman MB, Dorn SN, Bremner SN, Esparza MC, Lieber RL, Ward SR. In vivo supraspinatus muscle contractility and architecture in rabbit. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2020; 129:1405-1412. [PMID: 33031015 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00609.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The rotator cuff (RC) muscles are crucial in moving and stabilizing the glenohumeral joint, and tears can be functionally devastating. Chronic fatty and fibrotic muscle changes, which are nonresponsive to surgical tendon repair, are a focus of contemporary research. The rabbit model recapitulates key biological features of human RC tears, but function and physiology are poorly characterized; limited force and stress data are inconsistent with literature norms in other mammalian species. Here, we present an improved method to assess the physiology of the rabbit supraspinatus muscle (SSP), and we report values for healthy SSP architecture and physiology. Using female New Zealand White Rabbits (n = 6) under 2% isoflurane anesthesia, we surgically isolated the SSP and maximum isometric force measured at 4-6 muscle lengths. Architectural analysis was performed, and maximum isometric stress was computed. Whole muscle length-tension curves were generated using architectural measurements to compare experimental physiology to theoretical predictions. Maximum isometric force (80.87 ± 5.58 N) was dramatically greater than previous reports (11.06 and 16.1 N; P < 0.05). Architectural measurement of fiber length (34.25 ± 7.18 mm), muscle mass (9.9 ± 0.93 g), pennation angle (23.67 ± 8.32°), and PCSA (2.57 ± 0.20 cm2) were consistent with prior literature. Isometric stress (30.5 ± 3.07 N/cm2) was greater than previous reports of rabbit SSP (3.10 and 4.51 N/cm2), but similar to mammalian skeletal muscles (15.7-30.13 N/cm2). Previous studies underestimated peak force by ∼90%, which has profound implications for interpreting physiological changes as a function of disease state. The data that are presented here enable understanding the physiological implications of disease and repair in the RC of the rabbit.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We introduce an improved method to assess rabbit supraspinatus muscle physiology. Maximum isometric force measured for the rabbit supraspinatus was dramatically greater than previous reports in the literature. Consequently, the isometric contractile stress reported is almost 10 times greater than previous reports of rabbit supraspinatus, but similar to available literature of other mammalian skeletal muscle. We show that previous reports of peak supraspinatus isometric force were subphysiological by ∼90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydnee A Hyman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Mackenzie B Norman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California.,Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Shanelle N Dorn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Shannon N Bremner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Mary C Esparza
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Samuel R Ward
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California.,Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
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41
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Ross SA, Rimkus B, Konow N, Biewener AA, Wakeling JM. Added mass in rat plantaris muscle causes a reduction in mechanical work. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb224410. [PMID: 32737211 PMCID: PMC7561483 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.224410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Most of what we know about whole muscle behaviour comes from experiments on single fibres or small muscles that are scaled up in size without considering the effects of the additional muscle mass. Previous modelling studies have shown that tissue inertia acts to slow the rate of force development and maximum velocity of muscle during shortening contractions and decreases the work and power per cycle during cyclic contractions; however, these results have not yet been confirmed by experiments on living tissue. Therefore, in this study we conducted in situ work-loop experiments on rat plantaris muscle to determine the effects of increasing the mass of muscle on mechanical work during cyclic contractions. We additionally simulated these experimental contractions using a mass-enhanced Hill-type model to validate our previous modelling work. We found that greater added mass resulted in lower mechanical work per cycle relative to the unloaded trials in which no mass was added to the muscle (P=0.041 for both 85 and 123% increases in muscle mass). We additionally found that greater strain resulted in lower work per cycle relative to unloaded trials at the same strain to control for length change and velocity effects on the work output, possibly due to greater accelerations of the muscle mass at higher strains. These results confirm that tissue mass reduces muscle mechanical work at larger muscle sizes, and that this effect is likely amplified for lower activations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Ross
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Barbora Rimkus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Nicolai Konow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Concord Field Station, Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Andrew A Biewener
- Concord Field Station, Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - James M Wakeling
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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42
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Wakeling JM, Ross SA, Ryan DS, Bolsterlee B, Konno R, Domínguez S, Nigam N. The Energy of Muscle Contraction. I. Tissue Force and Deformation During Fixed-End Contractions. Front Physiol 2020; 11:813. [PMID: 32982762 PMCID: PMC7487973 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During contraction the energy of muscle tissue increases due to energy from the hydrolysis of ATP. This energy is distributed across the tissue as strain-energy potentials in the contractile elements, strain-energy potential from the 3D deformation of the base-material tissue (containing cellular and extracellular matrix effects), energy related to changes in the muscle's nearly incompressible volume and external work done at the muscle surface. Thus, energy is redistributed through the muscle's tissue as it contracts, with only a component of this energy being used to do mechanical work and develop forces in the muscle's longitudinal direction. Understanding how the strain-energy potentials are redistributed through the muscle tissue will help enlighten why the mechanical performance of whole muscle in its longitudinal direction does not match the performance that would be expected from the contractile elements alone. Here we demonstrate these physical effects using a 3D muscle model based on the finite element method. The tissue deformations within contracting muscle are large, and so the mechanics of contraction were explained using the principles of continuum mechanics for large deformations. We present simulations of a contracting medial gastrocnemius muscle, showing tissue deformations that mirror observations from magnetic resonance imaging. This paper tracks the redistribution of strain-energy potentials through the muscle tissue during fixed-end contractions, and shows how fibre shortening, pennation angle, transverse bulging and anisotropy in the stress and strain of the muscle tissue are all related to the interaction between the material properties of the muscle and the action of the contractile elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Wakeling
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Ross
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - David S Ryan
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Bart Bolsterlee
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ryan Konno
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Nilima Nigam
- Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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43
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Joo KS, Yeum JH, Sohn JH, Kim S. Comparison of muscle activities during four different adductor longus muscle targeted Pilates exercises. GAZZETTA MEDICA ITALIANA ARCHIVIO PER LE SCIENZE MEDICHE 2020. [DOI: 10.23736/s0393-3660.19.04103-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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44
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Moo EK, Leonard TR, Herzog W. The sarcomere force-length relationship in an intact muscle-tendon unit. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb215020. [PMID: 32098882 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.215020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The periodic striation pattern in skeletal muscle reflects the length of the basic contractile unit: the sarcomere. More than half a century ago, Gordon, Huxley and Julian provided strong support for the 'sliding filament' theory through experiments with single muscle fibres. The sarcomere force-length (FL) relationship has since been extrapolated to whole muscles in an attempt to unravel in vivo muscle function. However, these extrapolations were frequently associated with non-trivial assumptions, such as muscle length changes corresponding linearly to SL changes. Here, we determined the in situ sarcomere FL relationship in a whole muscle preparation by simultaneously measuring muscle force and individual SLs in an intact muscle-tendon unit (MTU) using state-of-the-art multi-photon excitation microscopy. We found that despite great SL non-uniformity, the mean value of SLs measured from a minute volume of the mid-belly, equivalent to about 5×10-6% of the total muscle volume, agrees well with the theoretically predicted FL relationship, but only if the precise contractile filament lengths are known, and if passive forces from parallel elastic components and activation-associated sarcomere shortening are considered properly. As SLs are not uniformly distributed across the whole muscle and changes in SL with muscle length are location dependent, our results may not be valid for the proximal or distal parts of the muscle. The approach described here, and our findings, may encourage future studies to determine the role of SL non-uniformity in influencing sarcomere FL properties in different muscles and for different locations within single muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng Kuan Moo
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Timothy R Leonard
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Walter Herzog
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
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45
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Ward SR, Winters TM, O'Connor SM, Lieber RL. Non-linear Scaling of Passive Mechanical Properties in Fibers, Bundles, Fascicles and Whole Rabbit Muscles. Front Physiol 2020; 11:211. [PMID: 32265730 PMCID: PMC7098999 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Defining variations in skeletal muscle passive mechanical properties at different size scales ranging from single muscle fibers to whole muscles is required in order to understand passive muscle function. It is also of interest from a muscle structural point-of-view to identify the source(s) of passive tension that function at each scale. Thus, we measured passive mechanical properties of single fibers, fiber bundles, fascicles, and whole muscles in three architecturally diverse muscles from New Zealand White rabbits (n = 6) subjected to linear deformation. Passive modulus was quantified at sarcomere lengths across the muscle’s anatomical range. Titin molecular mass and collagen content were also quantified at each size scale, and whole muscle architectural properties were measured. Passive modulus increased non-linearly from fiber to whole muscle for all three muscles emphasizing extracellular sources of passive tension (p < 0.001), and was different among muscles (p < 0.001), with significant muscle by size-scale interaction, indicating quantitatively different scaling for each muscle (p < 0.001). These findings provide insight into the structural basis of passive tension and suggest that the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the dominant contributor to whole muscle and fascicle passive tension. They also demonstrate that caution should be used when inferring whole muscle properties from reduced muscle size preparations such as muscle biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R Ward
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Taylor M Winters
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Shawn M O'Connor
- School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Veteran's Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States.,Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Parvaresh KC, Chang C, Patel A, Lieber RL, Ball ST, Ward SR. Architecture of the Short External Rotator Muscles of the Hip. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019; 20:611. [PMID: 31862009 PMCID: PMC6925491 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2995-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Muscle architecture, or the arrangement of sarcomeres and fibers within muscles, defines functional capacity. There are limited data that provide an understanding of hip short external rotator muscle architecture. The purpose of this study was thus to characterize the architecture of these small hip muscles. Methods Eight muscles from 10 independent human cadaver hips were used in this study (n = 80 muscles). Architectural measurements were made on pectineus, piriformis, gemelli, obturators, quadratus femoris, and gluteus minimus. Muscle mass, fiber length, sarcomere length, and pennation angle were used to calculate the normalized muscle fiber length, which defines excursion, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), which defines force-producing capacity. Results Gluteus minimus had the largest PCSA (8.29 cm2) followed by obturator externus (4.54 cm2), whereas superior gemellus had the smallest PCSA (0.68 cm2). Fiber lengths clustered into long (pectineus - 10.38 cm and gluteus minimus - 10.30 cm), moderate (obturator internus - 8.77 cm and externus - 8.04 cm), or short (inferior gemellus - 5.64 and superior gemellus - 4.85). There were no significant differences among muscles in pennation angle which were all nearly zero. When the gemelli and obturators were considered as a single functional unit, their collective PCSA (10.00 cm2) exceeded that of gluteus minimus as a substantial force-producing group. Conclusions The key findings are that these muscles have relatively small individual PCSAs, short fiber lengths, and low pennation angles. The large collective PCSA and short fiber lengths of the gemelli and obturators suggest that they primarily play a stabilizing role rather than a joint rotating role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Parvaresh
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA
| | - Charles Chang
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA
| | - Ankur Patel
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA
| | - Richard L Lieber
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA.,Departments of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Scott T Ball
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA
| | - Samuel R Ward
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA. .,Departments of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, USA. .,Departments of Radiology, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0863, USA.
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Towards the Exploitation of Physical Compliance in Segmented and Electrically Actuated Robotic Legs: A Review Focused on Elastic Mechanisms. SENSORS 2019; 19:s19245351. [PMID: 31817236 PMCID: PMC6960854 DOI: 10.3390/s19245351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Physical compliance has been increasingly used in robotic legs, due to its advantages in terms of the mechanical regulation of leg mechanics and energetics and the passive response to abrupt external disturbances during locomotion. This article presents a review of the exploitation of physical compliance in robotic legs. Particular attention has been paid to the segmented, electrically actuated robotic legs, such that a comparable analysis can be provided. The utilization of physical compliance is divided into three main categories, depending on the setting locations and configurations, namely, (1) joint series compliance, (2) joint parallel compliance, and (3) leg distal compliance. With an overview of the representative work related to each category, the corresponding working principles and implementation processes of various physical compliances are explained. After that, we analyze in detail some of the structural characteristics and performance influences of the existing designs, including the realization method, compliance profile, damping design, and quantitative changes in terms of mechanics and energetics. In parallel, the design challenges and possible future works associated with physical compliance in robotic legs are also identified and proposed. This article is expected to provide useful paradigmatic implementations and design guidance for physical compliance for researchers in the construction of novel physically compliant robotic legs.
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Svensson RB, Couppé C, Agergaard A, Ohrhammar Josefsen C, Jensen MH, Barfod KW, Nybing JD, Hansen P, Krogsgaard M, Magnusson SP. Persistent functional loss following ruptured Achilles tendon is associated with reduced gastrocnemius muscle fascicle length, elongated gastrocnemius and soleus tendon, and reduced muscle cross‐sectional area. TRANSLATIONAL SPORTS MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/tsm2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- René B. Svensson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Christian Couppé
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Physical Therapy Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Anne‐Sofie Agergaard
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Physical Therapy Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Christian Ohrhammar Josefsen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Mikkel Holm Jensen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Orthopedic Research Center–Copenhagen Copenhagen University Hospital Amager‐Hvidovre Denmark
| | - Janus D. Nybing
- Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Unit Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Philip Hansen
- Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Unit Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Michael Krogsgaard
- Section for Sports Traumatology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - S. Peter Magnusson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Physical Therapy Bispebjerg‐Frederiksberg Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
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Tomalka A, Röhrle O, Han JC, Pham T, Taberner AJ, Siebert T. Extensive eccentric contractions in intact cardiac trabeculae: revealing compelling differences in contractile behaviour compared to skeletal muscles. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190719. [PMID: 31138072 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Force enhancement (FE) is a phenomenon that is present in skeletal muscle. It is characterized by progressive forces upon active stretching-distinguished by a linear rise in force-and enhanced isometric force following stretching (residual FE (RFE)). In skeletal muscle, non-cross-bridge (XB) structures may account for this behaviour. So far, it is unknown whether differences between non-XB structures within the heart and skeletal muscle result in deviating contractile behaviour during and after eccentric contractions. Thus, we investigated the force response of intact cardiac trabeculae during and after isokinetic eccentric muscle contractions (10% of maximum shortening velocity) with extensive magnitudes of stretch (25% of optimum muscle length). The different contributions of XB and non-XB structures to the total muscle force were revealed by using an actomyosin inhibitor. For cardiac trabeculae, we found that the force-length dynamics during long stretch were similar to the total isometric force-length relation. This indicates that no (R)FE is present in cardiac muscle while stretching the muscle from 0.75 to 1.0 optimum muscle length. This finding is in contrast with the results obtained for skeletal muscle, in which (R)FE is present. Our data support the hypothesis that titin stiffness does not increase with activation in cardiac muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Tomalka
- 1 Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Oliver Röhrle
- 2 Institute of Applied Mechanics (Civil Engineering), University of Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany.,3 Cluster of Excellence for Simulation Technology (SimTech) , Stuttgart , Germany
| | - June-Chiew Han
- 4 Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Toan Pham
- 5 Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Taberner
- 4 Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.,6 Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Tobias Siebert
- 1 Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany
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Zwambag DP, Gsell KY, Brown SH. Characterization of the passive mechanical properties of spine muscles across species. J Biomech 2019; 88:173-179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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