Passive properties of the muscle‐tendon unit: The influence of muscle cross‐sectional area

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships among the passive properties of the muscle-tendon unit and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). Our findings indicated significant relationships between muscle CSA and passive stiffness (P < 0.05; r = 0.830) and muscle CSA and passive energy absorption (P < 0.05; r = 0.765). Since passive stiffness and the ability to absorb passive energy decreases with many diseases, these findings may support the need to maintain or increase muscle CSA.

No association between passive material property and cross-sectional area in human hamstring

“…Accordingly, a priori power analysis was conducted based on an assumed type I error of 0.05 and statistical power of 0.95 (type 2 error rate of 0.05) with the smallest effect size (r) obtained from previous studies which showed a significant relationship between muscle CSA and joint stiffness (r = 0.56) 4,5) . The required sample size for this analysis was 26.…”

“…In the research field, Gajdosik 3) suggested that passive muscle stiffness is positively related to the size of the muscle. Many studies have supported this notion by showing a significant relationship between muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and joint stiffness of the hamstrings (r = 0.56 -0.59, n = 18) 4) and plantar flexors (r = 0.83, n = 12) 5) . Unfortunately, however, joint stiffness evaluated from the passive torque-joint angle relationship is attributed not only to passive muscle stiffness, but also the mechanical properties of the entire musculo-articular complex (including tendon, ligament, joint capsule, and so on) 6) .…”

Relação entre rigidez articular passiva e torque concêntrico dos rotadores laterais do quadril

“…The coefficients of determination showed that 50 to 59% of the variability of the measurement of hip stiffness is explained by the performance of the lateral rotators of this joint. The association between these two variables is probably due to muscle trophism, because this is the main factor exerting influence both on active torque and passive stiffness 19,20,27,31 . Thus, a hip joint with more trophism from the lateral rotators tends to have more force of this muscle group and more stiffness during medial rotation.…”

“…There is evidence that joint stiffness is dependent on the cross-sectional area (CSA) and composition of the tissues that surround the joint 19,20 . Ryan et al 19 reported a correlation coefficient of 0.83 between the CSA of plantar flexors and passive stiffness during ankle dorsiflexion.…”

“…Ryan et al 19 reported a correlation coefficient of 0.83 between the CSA of plantar flexors and passive stiffness during ankle dorsiflexion. Chleboun et al 20 showed correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.79 and 0.92 between the CSA and passive stiffness of the elbow.…”