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01-02-2019 | Original Article

Effect of different knee flexion angles with a constant hip and knee torque on the muscle forces and neuromuscular activities of hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles

Authors: Yoshiki Motomura, Hiroshige Tateuchi, Sayaka Nakao, Itsuroh Shimizu, Takehiro Kato, Yuta Kondo, Noriaki Ichihashi

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the effect of different knee flexion angles with a constant hip and knee torque on the muscle force and neuromuscular activity of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus.

Methods

Twenty healthy males lay in prone position and held their lower limb with hip flexion at 45° and knee flexion at either 10° or 80°. At these angles, the hip and knee torques are identical. Under three load conditions: passive (referred to as Unloaded), active (Loaded), and active with 3-kg weight added to the shank (Loaded + 3 kg), the muscle stiffness (i.e., an indicator of muscle force) and neuromuscular activity of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus were measured using shear wave elastography and surface electromyography.

Results

The muscle stiffness and neuromuscular activity of the hamstrings and gluteus maximus increased significantly with the load. Muscle stiffness in the hamstrings was significantly lower at knee flexion of 80° than at 10° for Unloaded, but not for either Loaded or Loaded + 3 kg. The neuromuscular activity of the hamstrings was significantly greater at knee flexion of 80° than at 10° for both Loaded and Loaded + 3 kg. The muscle stiffness or neuromuscular activity of the gluteus maximus showed no significant differences between knee angles.

Conclusions

When the passive force in the hamstrings decreases with knee flexion, sufficient muscle force to maintain the hip and knee torques against an external load is generated by preferentially increasing the neuromuscular activity of the hamstrings, rather than increasing the synergetic muscle force.

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Title: Effect of different knee flexion angles with a constant hip and knee torque on the muscle forces and neuromuscular activities of hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles
Authors: Yoshiki Motomura
Hiroshige Tateuchi
Sayaka Nakao
Itsuroh Shimizu
Takehiro Kato
Yuta Kondo
Noriaki Ichihashi
Publication date: 01-02-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4032-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Effect of different knee flexion angles with a constant hip and knee torque on the muscle forces and neuromuscular activities of hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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