In vivo measurement of fascicle length and pennation of the human anconeus muscle at several elbow joint angles.

Ultrasound imaging has facilitated the reliable measure of the architectural variables fascicle length (LF ) and pennation angle (PA), at rest and during static and dynamic contractions in many human skeletal muscles in vivo. Despite its small size and very modest contribution to elbow extension torque, the anconeus muscle has proven a useful model for the study of neuromuscular function in health and disease. Recent single motor unit (MU) studies in the anconeus have reported discrete and identifiable individual trains of MU potentials from intramuscular electromyography (EMG) recordings during dynamic elbow extensions. It is unknown whether the anconeus has unique architectural features related to alterations in LF and PA throughout the elbow joint range of motion that may help explain these high-quality recordings. Previous anatomical studies have investigated this muscle in cadavers and at mainly one elbow joint angle. The purpose of this study was to measure in vivo PA and LF of the anconeus muscle in a relaxed state at different degrees of elbow flexion using ultrasonography. Ultrasound images were collected from 10 healthy males (25 ± 3 years) at 135°, 120°, 90°, 45°, and 0° of elbow flexion. Average values of LF decreased by 6 mm (10%), 6 mm (12%), and 4 mm (9%) from 135-120°, 120-90°, and 90-45° of elbow flexion, respectively, whereas average PA values increased by 1° (9%), 1° (8%), and 2° (14%) from 135-120°, 120-90°, and 45-0°, respectively. The results indicate that anconeus muscle architecture is dynamic, undergoing moderate changes with elbow joint excursion that are similar to other limb muscles reported elsewhere. The data obtained here are more comprehensive and representative of architectural changes at various elbow joint positions than those data reported in cadaveric studies. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that despite experiencing similar relative changes in muscle architecture to other skeletal muscles about the elbow joint, the minimal absolute changes in LF of the anconeus likely contribute to the clarity of intramuscular EMG previously reported in this muscle.

Voluntary rate of torque development is impaired after a voluntary versus tetanic conditioning contraction.

INTRODUCTION: Both voluntary and evoked conditioning contractions will potentiate muscle twitch contractile properties. The response of a voluntary contraction to each condition type is not well understood but it may be a more functional model than evoked twitch potentiation. METHODS: Baseline measurements from tibialis anterior included: maximal isometric twitch torque and rate of torque development (RTD); maximal evoked 50-Hz torque; and maximal voluntary ballistic RTD. Potentiation was induced by a 10-s voluntary or tetanic contraction (∽78% MVC), followed by 2 twitches and 2 ballistic contractions. RESULTS: Twitch properties (torque and RTD) were potentiated equally after each conditioning contraction. Ballistic RTD was greater post-tetanus (390.2 ± 59.3 Nm/s) than post-voluntary (356.4 ± 69.1 Nm/s), but both were reduced from baseline (422.0 ± 88.9 Nm/s). CONCLUSIONS: Twitch potentiation was similar between conditioning contraction types, but ballistic RTD was lower after post-tetanus than post-voluntary. The results indicate central inhibition or fatigue concurrent with peripheral potentiation.

Potentiation of the triceps brachii during voluntary submaximal contractions.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of postactivation potentiation (PAP) on evoked contractions are well understood, but less is known about the effect of PAP on voluntary submaximal contractions. Using a measure of neuromuscular efficiency (NME) [NME = (mV EMG / Nm torque)] we explored the effects of PAP in the triceps brachii at two muscle lengths. METHODS: Evoked twitch and NME were compared at short (40° elbow flexion) and long (120°) muscle lengths. At each length, 12 subjects performed a contraction of 25% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) torque before and after a potentiating MVC. RESULTS: Twitch torque potentiated more at short length (216.9 ± 169.3%) than at long length (77.3 ± 32.6%), but PAP moderately improved NME only at short length (12.2 ± 8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The greater capacity for PAP at the short length is reflected by greater NME. Compared with evoked responses, the relatively small change in NME suggests a different and more modest role of PAP during voluntary submaximal contractions.