Effect of knee joint angle on individual hamstrings morphology quantified using free-hand 3D ultrasonography

Kellis, Eleftherios; Sahinis, Chrysostomos

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102619

Cited by 8 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The results of this study indicate significant differences in length between hamstrings distal tendons which is consistent with previous investigations 11,12 . Further, significant differences were observed in tendon displacement between hamstrings at different torque levels (Data S1, Figure 3).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Then, the distal tendon length (mm) was quantified as the distance between the distal end of the most distal fascicle (without any muscle fiber attachment) and the insertion of its tendon according to a procedure similar to our previous studies. 11,12 In summary, for each tendon length landmarks were then positioned roughly at the center of each transverse slice. Throughout this process, the placement of each landmark was visualized using a combination of frontal, sagittal, and transverse image reslices to ensure optimal positioning near the center of the examined structure across all reconstructed slices.…”

Section: Image Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous investigations have established that that hamstrings are a very complex muscle group 9 with various architectural characteristics 10 . However, up to date, very few studies have explored the morphological and mechanical characteristics of hamstrings tendon and, hence, the information for the tendon architecture is scarce 11–13 . Recently, Sahinis et al 11 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In theory, a greater tendon length coupled with a lower CSA may lead to a less stiff ST distal tendon compared to the other hamstring tendons 9 . Beyond the variations in morphological characteristics among distal hamstring tendons, noteworthy differences have been identified along the length of each tendon 11,12 . Specifically, research has indicated that the CSA of the hamstring tendon tends to be higher at the midpoint, whereas it diminishes in the distal measurement sites closer to the insertion point 11,12 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distal hamstrings tendons mechanical properties at rest and contraction using free‐hand 3‐D ultrasonography

Sahinis,

Kellis

2024

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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Tendon properties impact human locomotion, influencing sports performance, and injury prevention. Hamstrings play a crucial role in sprinting, particularly the biceps femoris long head (BFlh), which is prone to frequent injuries. It remains uncertain if BFlh exhibits distinct mechanical properties compared to other hamstring muscles. This study utilized free‐hand three‐dimensional ultrasound to assess morphological and mechanical properties of distal hamstrings tendons in 15 men. Scans were taken in prone position, with hip and knee extended, at rest and during 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee flexors. Tendon length, volume, cross‐sectional area (CSA), and anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) widths were quantified at three locations. Longitudinal and transverse deformations, stiffness, strain, and stress were estimated. The ST had the greatest tendon strain and the lowest stiffness as well as the highest CSA and AP and ML width strain compared to other tendons. Biceps femoris short head (BFsh) exhibited the least strain, AP and ML deformation. Further, BFlh displayed the highest stiffness and stress, and BFsh had the lowest stress. Additionally, deformation varied by region, with the proximal site showing generally the lowest CSA strain. Distal tendon mechanical properties differed among the hamstring muscles during isometric knee flexions. In contrast to other bi‐articular hamstrings, the BFlh high stiffness and stress may result in greater energy absorption by its muscle fascicles, rather than the distal tendon, during late swing in sprinting. This could partly account for the increased incidence of hamstring injuries in this muscle.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Image Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distal hamstrings tendons mechanical properties at rest and contraction using free‐hand 3‐D ultrasonography

Sahinis,

Kellis

2024

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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“…To the best of our knowledge, no studies have directly measured tendon/aponeurosis stiffness in hamstring muscles. I n vivo estimation of distal tendon-aponeurosis complex strain (using ultrasonography) has shown that distal tendon-aponeurosis strain of all hamstrings does not change significantly during a 45° range of motion knee extension [ 63 ]. During a 90° passive knee extension, however, BFlh distal tendon-aponeurosis strain is much greater than ST [ 64 ].…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hamstrings force-length relationships and their implications for angle-specific joint torques: a narrative review

Kellis

Blazevich

2022

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil

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Temporal biomechanical and physiological responses to physical activity vary between individual hamstrings components as well as between exercises, suggesting that hamstring muscles operate differently, and over different lengths, between tasks. Nevertheless, the force-length properties of these muscles have not been thoroughly investigated. The present review examines the factors influencing the hamstrings’ force-length properties and relates them to in vivo function. A search in four databases was performed for studies that examined relations between muscle length and force, torque, activation, or moment arm of hamstring muscles. Evidence was collated in relation to force-length relationships at a sarcomere/fiber level and then moment arm-length, activation-length, and torque-joint angle relations. Five forward simulation models were also used to predict force-length and torque-length relations of hamstring muscles. The results show that, due to architectural differences alone, semitendinosus (ST) produces less peak force and has a flatter active (contractile) fiber force-length relation than both biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semimembranosus (SM), however BFlh and SM contribute greater forces through much of the hip and knee joint ranges of motion. The hamstrings’ maximum moment arms are greater at the hip than knee, so the muscles tend to act more as force producers at the hip but generate greater joint rotation and angular velocity at the knee for a given muscle shortening length and speed. However, SM moment arm is longer than SM and BFlh, partially alleviating its reduced force capacity but also reducing its otherwise substantial excursion potential. The current evidence, bound by the limitations of electromyography techniques, suggests that joint angle-dependent activation variations have minimal impact on force-length or torque-angle relations. During daily activities such as walking or sitting down, the hamstrings appear to operate on the ascending limbs of their force-length relations while knee flexion exercises performed with hip angles 45–90° promote more optimal force generation. Exercises requiring hip flexion at 45–120° and knee extension 45–0° (e.g. sprint running) may therefore evoke greater muscle forces and, speculatively, provide a more optimum adaptive stimulus. Finally, increases in resistance to stretch during hip flexion beyond 45° result mainly from SM and BFlh muscles.

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Reliability of Semitendinosus and Biceps Femoris Aponeurosis Thickness Using B‐Mode Ultrasound

Sahinis,

Kellis

2024

J of Ultrasound Medicine

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ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the reliability of aponeurosis and muscle thickness of the hamstrings using ultrasound (US).MethodsUS images were captured from the semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) of 30 individuals (15 females), undergoing two testing sessions with a 24‐hour interval. Measurements were taken at six sites along the thigh at two knee angles (0° = full extension and 90°) in prone position. Aponeurosis and muscle thickness across the entire length of ST and BFlh were evaluated using computational image segmentation which generated ~360 data points per participant.ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.937 to 0.998 while the standard error of measurement varied from 0.88 to 2.72% for superficial aponeurosis, from 1.41 to 2.29% for deep aponeurosis, and from 1.50 to 4.22% for muscle thickness. The minimal detectable change ranged from 2.44 to 7.56% for the superficial aponeurosis, from 3.57 to 6.27% for deep aponeurosis, and from 4.17 to 11.70% for BF and ST muscle thickness.ConclusionsEvaluation of hamstring aponeurosis and muscle thickness measurements at rest displayed very high reliability and, hence, such measurements can be used to diagnose changes in thickness due to injury or exercise interventions.

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Effect of knee joint angle on individual hamstrings morphology quantified using free-hand 3D ultrasonography

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Distal hamstrings tendons mechanical properties at rest and contraction using free‐hand 3‐D ultrasonography

Distal hamstrings tendons mechanical properties at rest and contraction using free‐hand 3‐D ultrasonography

Hamstrings force-length relationships and their implications for angle-specific joint torques: a narrative review

Reliability of Semitendinosus and Biceps Femoris Aponeurosis Thickness Using B‐Mode Ultrasound

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