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European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 3/2018

01-03-2018 | Original Article

Passive stiffness of monoarticular lower leg muscles is influenced by knee joint angle

Authors: Filiz Ateş, Ricardo J. Andrade, Sandro R. Freitas, François Hug, Lilian Lacourpaille, Raphael Gross, Can A. Yucesoy, Antoine Nordez

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

While several studies demonstrated the occurrence of intermuscular mechanical interactions, the physiological significance of these interactions remains a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to quantify the localized changes in the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), monoarticular dorsi- and plantar-flexor muscles induced by a change in knee angle.

Method

Participants underwent slow passive ankle rotations at the following two knee positions: knee flexed at 90° and knee fully extended. Ultrasound shear wave elastography was used to assess the muscle shear modulus of the GL, soleus [both proximally (SOL-proximal) and distally (SOL distal)], peroneus longus (PERL), and tibialis anterior (TA). This was performed during two experimental sessions (experiment I: n = 11; experiment II: n = 10). The shear modulus of each muscle was compared between the two knee positions.

Results

The shear modulus was significantly higher when the knee was fully extended than when the knee was flexed (P < 0.001) for the GL (averaged increase on the whole range of motion: + 5.8 ± 1.3 kPa), SOL distal (+ 4.5 ± 1.5 kPa), PERL (+ 1.1 ± 0.7 kPa), and TA (+ 1.6 ± 1.0 kPa). In contrast, a lower SOL-proximal shear modulus (P < 0.001, − 5.9 ± 1.0 kPa) was observed.

Conclusion

As the muscle shear modulus is linearly related to passive muscle force, these results provide evidence of a non-negligible intermuscular mechanical interaction between the human lower leg muscles during passive ankle rotations. The role of these interactions in the production of coordinated movements requires further investigation.
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Metadata
Title
Passive stiffness of monoarticular lower leg muscles is influenced by knee joint angle
Authors
Filiz Ateş
Ricardo J. Andrade
Sandro R. Freitas
François Hug
Lilian Lacourpaille
Raphael Gross
Can A. Yucesoy
Antoine Nordez
Publication date
01-03-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3798-y

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