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01-06-2005 | Original Article

Effects of pretension on work and power output of the muscle-tendon complex in dynamic elbow flexion

Authors: Akinobu Wakayama, Akinori Nagano, Dean Hay, Senshi Fukashiro

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2005

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of pretension on work and power output of the muscle-tendon complex during dynamic elbow flexion under several submaximal and maximal conditions. The subjects were 10 healthy female students. Randomized trials from 0% to 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) pretension (PT) at 60° elbow flexion were conducted. After about 3 s of static PT, subjects maximally flexed the elbow joint to 90° using a quick release method. The weight was individually selected for each subject to provide an optimal load for the development of maximal power. A Hill-type model was utilized to analyze the performance of the elbow muscle-tendon complex (MTC). PT 0, 30, 60 and 90% MVC data were used for comparison, and all data were expressed as the mean and standard deviation. Multiple paired comparisons between the value of PT 0% MVC and that of the other PT levels were performed post-hoc using Dunnett’s method. The work of the series elastic component (SEC) increased gradually with the PT level because elastic energy was stored in the PT phase. However, the work of the contractile component (CC) decreased gradually with an increase in PT level. Moreover, the work of the MTC also decreased, closely related to the CC work decrement. The phenomenon of CC work decrement was caused by force depression and was not related to either the force-length or force-velocity relationships of the CC. EMG activity (agonist and antagonist) showed no significant differences. Muscle geometry changes or intracellular chemical shifts may have occurred in the PT phase.

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Title: Effects of pretension on work and power output of the muscle-tendon complex in dynamic elbow flexion
Authors: Akinobu Wakayama
Akinori Nagano
Dean Hay
Senshi Fukashiro
Publication date: 01-06-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2005
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1289-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effects of pretension on work and power output of the muscle-tendon complex in dynamic elbow flexion

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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