A1 Journal article (refereed)
The reliability of measuring medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit lengths during gait (2021)
Cenni, F., Schless, S.-H., Adams, H., Bar-On, L., & Desloovere, K. (2021). The reliability of measuring medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit lengths during gait. Gait and Posture, 90, 464-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.09.198
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Cenni, Francesco; Schless, Simon-Henri; Adams, Heleen; Bar-On, Lynn; Desloovere, Kaat
Journal or series: Gait and Posture
ISSN: 0966-6362
eISSN: 1879-2219
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 90
Pages range: 464-467
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.09.198
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78794
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging combined with 3D motion analysis allows for in-vivo assessment of muscle-tendon unit lengths during gait. The clinical relevance of analysing the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and Achilles muscle-tendon junction (MTJ), MG mid-muscle belly fascicles (FAS) and muscle thickness was shown. However, their reliability error estimations over the gait cycle is unknown.
Research question
What are the intra- and inter-session errors associated with extracting MG belly, thickness, FAS and tendon lengths using ultrasound during gait in healthy participants?
Methods
3D gait analysis was carried out in ten healthy adults as they walked on an instrumented treadmill at a comfortable walking speed. An ultrasound probe was secured on the leg and tracked by 3D motion analysis. Images were collected during two walking trials with the probe on the MG muscle-belly to estimate FAS lengths and muscle thickness, and during two trials with the probe on the MTJ to estimate muscle-belly and tendon lengths. A second session was performed after 5 ± 4 days where a different operator placed the ultrasound probe. The standard deviation (SD) of absolute and relative lengths changes during the gait cycle over different trials were calculated per participant. SD values averaged over participants represented intra- and inter-session errors.
Results
For all assessed variables, the intra-session errors were <2.2 mm, except for the FAS lengths (3.1 mm). The inter-session errors were larger than the intra-session, with the highest values found for the absolute muscle-tendon unit lengths (5.6 mm). Relative length errors were smaller than absolute length errors.
Significance
Intra-session errors, which may reflect natural variability and data processing errors, seem more critical when extracting absolute FAS than muscle-tendon lengths. Standardized probe positioning on the MTJ between sessions may improve the inter-session reliability. Expressing the lengths relative to their lengths as the beginning of the gait cycle reduces the inter-session errors.
Keywords: biomechanics; walking (motion); steps; legs; muscles; tendons; measuring methods; motion analysis; ultrasonography; reliability (science)
Free keywords: reliability; lower limb muscle-tendon; dynamic ultrasound; gait analysis
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1
