Influence of tendon slack on electromechanical delay in the human medial gastrocnemius in vivo

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2004-02, Vol.96 (2), p.540-544
• Main Authors: Muraoka, Tetsuro, Muramatsu, Tadashi, Fukunaga, Tetsuo, Kanehisa, Hiroaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle; Ankle Joint - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Electric Stimulation; Electromyography; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Joints; Male; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscular system; Reaction Time - physiology; Tendons; Tendons - diagnostic imaging; Tendons - physiology; Torque; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01015.2002

1 Laboratory of Sports Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902; 2 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8471; 3 Institute of Physical Education, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521; and 4 Department of Sports Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan Submitted 5 November 2002 ; accepted in final form 25 September 2003 The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of muscle-tendon complex stretch on electromechanical delay (EMD) in terms of the extent of tendon slack in the human medial gastrocnemius (MG). EMD and MG tendon length were measured at each of five ankle joint angles (-30, -20, -10, 0, and 5°: positive values for dorsiflexion) using percutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasonography, respectively. The extent of MG tendon slack was calculated as MG tendon length shortening, standardized with MG tendon slack length obtained at the joint angle (-16° ± 5°) where the passive ankle joint torque was zero. EMD at -30° (19.2 ±2.2 ms) and -20° (17.2 ± 1.3 ms) was significantly greater than that at -10° (16.0 ±2.3 ms), 0° (15.0 ±1.4 ms), and 5° (14.8 ±1.4 ms), and at 0 and 5°, respectively. The relative EMD, normalized with the maximal EMD for each subject, decreased dependent on the extent of decrease in MG tendon slack. There were no significant differences in EMD among the joint angles (-10, 0, and 5°) where MG tendon slack was taken up. These results suggest that the extent of tendon slack is an important factor for determining EMD. ultrasonography; electrical stimulations; force transmission capability; ankle joint Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: T. Muraoka, Laboratory of Sports Sciences, Dept. of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Univ. of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan (E-mail: muraoka{at}idaten.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp ).