Hugo Hauraix

Muscle force loss and soreness subsequent to maximal eccentric contractions depend on the amount of fascicle strain in vivo

Defining the origins of muscle injury has important rehabilitation and exercise applications. However, current knowledge of muscle damage mechanics in human remains unclear in vivo. This study aimed to determine the relationships between muscle–tendon unit mechanics during maximal eccentric contractions and the extent of subsequent functional impairments induced by muscle damage.

Interaction between gastrocnemius medialis fascicle and Achilles tendon compliance: a new insight on the quick-release method.

The insufficient temporal resolution of imaging devices has made the analysis of very fast movements, such as those required to measure active muscle-tendon unit stiffness, difficult. Thus the relative contributions of tendon, aponeurosis, and fascicle to muscle-tendon unit compliance remain to be determined. The present study analyzed the dynamic interactions of fascicle, tendon, and aponeurosis in human gastrocnemius medialis during the first milliseconds of an ankle quick-release movement, using high-frame-rate ultrasonography (2,000 frames/s). Nine subjects performed the tests in random order at six levels of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (30% to 80% of MVC). These tests were carried out with the ultrasound probe placed on the muscle belly and on the myotendinous junction. Tendon, muscle fascicle, and aponeurosis length changes were quantified in relation to shortening of the muscle-tendon unit during the first few milliseconds following the release. The tendon was the main contributor (around 72%) to the shortening of the muscle-tendon unit, whereas the muscle fascicle and aponeurosis contributions were 18% and 10%, respectively. Because these structures can be considered in series, the quantified contributions can be regarded as relative contributions to muscle-tendon compliance. These contributions were not modified with the level of MVC or the time range used for the analysis between 10 and 25 ms. The constant contribution of tendon, muscle fascicle, and aponeurosis to muscle-tendon unit compliance may help to simplify the mechanism of compliance regulation and to maintain the important role of tendons in enhancing work output and movement efficiency.

In vivo maximal fascicle-shortening velocity during plantar flexion in humans

Interindividual variability in performance of fast movements is commonly explained by a difference in maximal muscle-shortening velocity due to differences in the proportion of fast-twitch fibers. To provide a better understanding of the capacity to generate fast motion, this study aimed to 1) measure for the first time in vivo the maximal fascicle-shortening velocity of human muscle; 2) evaluate the relationship between angular velocity and fascicle-shortening velocity from low to maximal angular velocities; and 3) investigate the influence of musculo-articular features (moment arm, tendinous tissues stiffness, and muscle architecture) on maximal angular velocity. Ultrafast ultrasound images of the gastrocnemius medialis were obtained from 31 participants during maximal isokinetic and light-loaded plantar flexions. A strong linear relationship between fascicle-shortening velocity and angular velocity was reported for all subjects (mean R(2) = 0.97). The maximal shortening velocity (V(Fmax)) obtained during the no-load condition (NLc) ranged between 18.8 and 43.3 cm/s. V(Fmax) values were very close to those of the maximal shortening velocity (V(max)), which was extrapolated from the F-V curve (the Hill model). Angular velocity reached during the NLc was significantly correlated with this V(Fmax) (r = 0.57; P < 0.001). This finding was in agreement with assumptions about the role of muscle fiber type, whereas interindividual comparisons clearly support the fact that other parameters may also contribute to performance during fast movements. Nevertheless, none of the biomechanical features considered in the present study were found to be directly related to the highest angular velocity, highlighting the complexity of the upstream mechanics that lead to maximal-velocity muscle contraction.

Maximal shortening velocity during plantar flexion: Effects of pre-activity and initial stretching state

We investigated the effects of the initial length of the muscle‐tendon unit (MTU) and muscle pre‐activation on muscle‐tendon interactions during plantarflexion performed at maximal velocity. Ultrasound images of gastrocnemius medialis were obtained on 11 participants in three conditions: (a) active plantarflexion performed at maximal velocity from three increasingly stretched positions (10°, 20°, and 30° dorsiflexion), (b) passive plantarflexion induced by a quick release of the ankle joint from the same three positions, and (c) pre‐activation, which consisted of a maximal isometric contraction of the plantarflexors at 10° of dorsiflexion followed by a quick release of ankle joint. During the active condition at maximal velocity, initial MTU stretch positively influenced ankle joint velocity (+15.3%) and tendinous tissues shortening velocity (+37.6%) but not the shortening velocity peak value reached by muscle fascicle. The muscle fascicle was shortened during the passive condition; however, its shortening velocity never exceeded peak velocity measured in the active condition. Muscle pre‐activation resulted in a considerable increase in ankle joint (+114.7%) and tendinous tissues velocities (+239.1%), although we observed a decrease in muscle fascicle shortening velocity. During active plantarflexion at maximal velocity, initial MTU length positively influences ankle joint velocity by increasing the contribution of tendinous tissues. Although greater initial stretch of the plantarflexors (ie, 30° dorsiflexion) increased the passive velocity of the fascicle during initial movement, its peak velocity was not affected. As muscle pre‐activation prevented reaching the maximal muscle fascicle shortening velocity, this condition should be used to characterize tendinous tissues rather than muscle contractile properties.

The slack test does not assess maximal shortening velocity of muscle fascicle in human

ABSTRACT The application of a series of extremely high accelerative motor-driven quick releases while muscles contract isometrically (i.e. slack test) has been proposed to assess unloaded velocity in human muscle. This study aimed to measure gastrocnemius medialis fascicle shortening velocity (VF) and tendinous tissue shortening velocity during motor-driven quick releases performed at various activation levels to assess the applicability of the slack test in humans. Gastrocnemius medialis peak VF and joint velocity recorded from 25 participants using high frame rate ultrasound during quick releases (at activation levels from 0% to 60% of maximal voluntary isometric torque) and during fast contractions without external load (ballistic condition) were compared. Unloaded joint velocity calculated using the slack test method increased whereas VF decreased with muscle activation level (P≤0.03). Passive and low-level quick releases elicited higher VF values (≥41.8±10.7 cm s−1) compared with the ballistic condition (36.3±8.7 cm s−1), while quick releases applied at 60% of maximal voluntary isometric torque produced the lowest VF. These findings suggest that initial fascicle length, complex fascicle–tendon interactions, unloading reflex and motor-driven movement pattern strongly influence and limit the shortening velocity achieved during the slack test. Furthermore, VF elicited by quick releases is likely to reflect substantial contributions of passive processes. Therefore, the slack test is not appropriate to assess maximal muscle shortening velocity in vivo. Summary: The slack test does not assess the true maximal shortening velocity of muscle fascicles in humans and does not appear appropriate for in vivo measurements.

Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle and Achilles' tendon behaviour during a quick-release movement

movement S. Farcy, A. Nordez, S. Dorel, H. Hauraix, P. Portero and G. Rabita* Research Department, National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, INSEP, Paris, France; University Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne, EAC CNRS 4396 Créteil, France; University of Nantes, Laboratory ‘Motricité, Interactions, Performance’, EA 4334 Nantes, France; Department of Neuro-Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Rothschild Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France