A1 Journal article (refereed)
Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture Is Altered After Exhaustive Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise (2019)
Kositsky, A., Kidgell, D. J., & Avela, J. (2019). Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Architecture Is Altered After Exhaustive Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise. Frontiers in Physiology, 10, Article 1511. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01511
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kositsky, Adam; Kidgell, Dawson J.; Avela, Janne
Journal or series: Frontiers in Physiology
eISSN: 1664-042X
Publication year: 2019
Volume: 10
Article number: 1511
Publisher: Frontiers Media
Publication country: Switzerland
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01511
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67480
Abstract
Muscle architecture is an important component of muscle function, and recent studies have shown changes in muscle architecture with fatigue. The stretch-shortening cycle is a natural way to study human locomotion, but little is known about how muscle architecture is affected by this type of exercise. This study investigated potential changes in medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle architecture after exhaustive stretch-shortening cycle exercise. Male athletes (n = 10) performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and maximal drop jump (DJ) tests before and after an exercise task consisting of 100 maximal DJs followed by successive rebound jumping to 70% of the initial maximal height. The exercise task ceased upon failure to jump to 50% of maximal height or volitional fatigue. Muscle architecture of MG was measured using ultrasonography at rest and during MVC, and performance variables were calculated via a force plate and motion analysis. After SSC exercise, MVC (-13.1%; p = 0.005; dz = 1.30), rebound jump height (-14.8%, p = 0.004; dz = 1.32), and ankle joint stiffness (-26.3%; p = 0.008; dz = 1.30) decreased. Ankle joint range of motion (+20.2%; p = 0.011; dz = 1.09) and MG muscle-tendon unit length (+12.0%; p = 0.037; dz = 0.91) during the braking phase of DJ, the immediate drop-off in impact force (termed peak force reduction) (Δ27.3%; p = 0.033; dz = 0.86), and lactate (+9.5 mmol/L; p < 0.001; dz = 3.58) increased. Fascicle length increased at rest (+4.9%; p = 0.013; dz = 1.16) and during MVC (+6.8%; p = 0.048; dz = 0.85). Pennation angle decreased at rest (-6.5%; p = 0.034, dz = 0.93) and during MVC (-9.8%; p = 0.012; dz = 1.35). No changes in muscle thickness were found at rest (-2.6%; p = 0.066; dz = 0.77) or during MVC (-1.6%; p = 0.204; dz = 0.49). The greater MG muscle-tendon stretch during the DJ braking phase after exercise indicates that muscle damage likely occurred. The lower peak force reduction and ankle joint stiffness, indicative of decreased active stiffness, suggests activation was likely reduced, causing fascicles to shorten less during MVC.
Keywords: muscles; strength training; strain; stretching; ultrasonography
Free keywords: afferent; fascicle length; fatigue; force; pennation; stretch reflex; ultrasound
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2019
JUFO rating: 1