{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Comparison of fascicle behaviors between superficial and deeper muscles of triceps brachii during isometric contractions.
{Author}: Akima H;Maeda H;Koike T;Ishida K;Ando R;
{Journal}: J Electromyogr Kinesiol
{Volume}: 54
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: Oct 2020
{Factor}: 2.641
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102452
{Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: We assessed fascicle behaviors of the upper extremities during isometric contractions at different joint angles in this study.
METHODS: Thirteen healthy men and women performed isometric elbow extension tasks at 50% and 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 60°, 90°, and 120° of elbow extension (full extension = 180°). Extended field-of-view B-mode ultrasonography was used to obtain sagittal plane panoramic images of the long head (TB-Long) and medial head (TB-Med) of the triceps brachii at rest and during contraction; fascicle length and pennation angle were measured.
RESULTS: In the TB-Long, significant fascicle shortening from rest was found during 50% and 75%MVC at 60° and during 75%MVC at 90° of extension. There was no significant fascicle shortening in the TB-Med muscle under any conditions. There was no significant pennation angle change from rest in either muscle. The pennation angle of the TB-Long was significantly greater than that of the TB-Med under all conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fascicle shortening in the TB-Long muscle occurs in flexion; however, no change was found in the TB-Med. In the upper extremity muscle-tendon complex, the superficial and deeper muscles may have different force-transmission efficiency at flexed joint angles.