title: New perspectives on the development of muscle contractures following central motor lesions.
abstract: Muscle contractures are common in patients with central motor lesions, but the mechanisms responsible for the development of contractures are still unclear. Increased or decreased neural activation, protracted placement of a joint with the muscle in a short position and muscle atrophy have been suggested to be involved, but none of these mechanisms are sufficient to explain the development of muscle contractures alone. Here we propose that changes in tissue homeostasis in the neuromuscular-tendon-connective tissue complex is at the heart of the development of contractures, and that an integrated physiological understanding of the interaction between neural, mechanical and metabolic factors, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors, is necessary in order to unravel the mechanisms that result in muscle contractures. We hope thereby to contribute to a reconsideration of how and why muscle contractures develop in a way which will open a window towards new insight in this area in the future.
authors: Department of Exercise, Nutrition and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: J
authors: 0000-0002-9977-094X
authors: J
authors: Pingel
authors: The Biochemistry and Physiology Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors: E M
authors: 0000-0001-9302-9678
authors: EM
authors: Bartels
authors: Department of Exercise, Nutrition and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: J B
authors: 0000-0001-5568-2916
authors: JB
authors: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: contracture; motor control; skeletal muscle