[Recruitment of the bi-articular gastrocnemius muscles during maximal isometric contractions in humans].
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the maximal isometric plantarflexion moment as a function of the triceps surae's length. As the gastrocnemius are bi-articular actuators, their respective lengths were modified by variations of the ankle and knee joints angles. The mechanical results agreed ones previously published in the literature. The maximal and minimal isometric moments were attained at maximal lengthening and shortening of the gastrocnemius respectively. The gastrocnemius electromyographic (EMG) activities showed paradoxal results. Their EMG activities decreased with their lengthening when this was induced by ankle joint angle variations. Inversely, their EMG activities increased with their lengthening when this was induced by knee joint angle variations. These results allowed the authors to hypothesize the existence of specific recruitment of neuro-muscular compartments of the gastrocnemius with knee extension.
Legreneur
P
P
Groupe Analyse du Mouvement, UFR-STAPS, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France. legrene@univ-lyon1.fr
Morlon
B
B
Van Hoecke
J
J
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*
Recrutement des muscles bi-articulaires gastrocnemius lors de contractions isométriques maximales chez l'Homme.