Gastrocnemius muscle fascicle behavior during stair negotiation in humans

M. Spanjaard, N.D. Reeves, J.H. van Dieen, V. Baltzopoulos, C.N. Maganaris

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    Abstract

    The aim of the present study was to establish the behavior of human medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscle fascicles during stair negotiation. Ten healthy male subjects performed normal stair ascent and descent at their own comfortable speed on a standard-dimension four-step staircase with embedded force platforms in each step. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of the lower limbs were collected. Real-time ultrasound scanning was used to determine GM muscle fascicle length changes. Musculotendon complex (MTC) length changes were estimated from ankle and knee joint kinematics. The GM muscle was mainly active during the push-off phase in stair ascent, and the muscle fascicles contracted nearly isometrically. The GM muscle was mainly active during the touch-down phase of stair descent where the MTC was lengthened; however, the GM muscle fascicles shortened by ∼7 mm. These findings show that the behavior and function of GM muscle fascicles in stair negotiation is different from that expected on the basis of length changes of the MTC as derived from joint kinematics. Copyright © 2007 the American Physiological Society.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1618-1623
    JournalJournal of Applied Physiology (1985)
    Volume102
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

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