title: The activation of muscle spindles enhances the thixotropic behavior of rib cage respiratory muscles.
abstract: Rib cage inspiratory muscle contractions at a deep inflated position caused a subsequent increase in rib cage cross-sectional area at the end-expiratory phase. The increase in this area was enhanced by the activation of muscle spindles in the inspiratory muscles by a mechanical vibration combined with muscle contractions.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 142-8555 Japan. masahiko@med.showa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izumizaki
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Homma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009470:Muscle Spindles / Q000502:physiology*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D012272:Ribs; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration