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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-08-2014 | Original Article

Interdependence of torque, joint angle, angular velocity and muscle action during human multi-joint leg extension

Authors: Daniel Hahn, Walter Herzog, Ansgar Schwirtz

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 8/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Force and torque production of human muscles depends upon their lengths and contraction velocity. However, these factors are widely assumed to be independent of each other and the few studies that dealt with interactions of torque, angle and angular velocity are based on isolated single-joint movements. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine force/torque–angle and force/torque–angular velocity properties for multi-joint leg extensions.

Methods

Human leg extension was investigated (n = 18) on a motor-driven leg press dynamometer while measuring external reaction forces at the feet. Extensor torque in the knee joint was calculated using inverse dynamics. Isometric contractions were performed at eight joint angle configurations of the lower limb corresponding to increments of 10° at the knee from 30 to 100° of knee flexion. Concentric and eccentric contractions were performed over the same range of motion at mean angular velocities of the knee from 30 to 240° s⁻¹.

Results

For contractions of increasing velocity, optimum knee angle shifted from 52 ± 7 to 64 ± 4° knee flexion. Furthermore, the curvature of the concentric force/torque–angular velocity relations varied with joint angles and maximum angular velocities increased from 866 ± 79 to 1,238 ± 132° s⁻¹ for 90–50° knee flexion. Normalised eccentric forces/torques ranged from 0.85 ± 0.12 to 1.32 ± 0.16 of their isometric reference, only showing significant increases above isometric and an effect of angular velocity for joint angles greater than optimum knee angle.

Conclusions

The findings reveal that force/torque production during multi-joint leg extension depends on the combined effects of angle and angular velocity. This finding should be accounted for in modelling and optimisation of human movement.

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Title: Interdependence of torque, joint angle, angular velocity and muscle action during human multi-joint leg extension
Authors: Daniel Hahn
Walter Herzog
Ansgar Schwirtz
Publication date: 01-08-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2899-5

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Springer Medicine

Interdependence of torque, joint angle, angular velocity and muscle action during human multi-joint leg extension

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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