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Heterogeneity of passive elastic properties within the quadriceps femoris muscle–tendon unit

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare regional elastic properties between anterior and posterior regions of the patellar tendon, and individual quadriceps muscles, over a range of knee flexion angles.

Methods

An isokinetic dynamometer passively positioned the non-dominant knee of 19 young, healthy participants, at 25°, 40°, 55°, 70° and 85° flexion. Shear wave velocity (SWV, an index of tissue elasticity) was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography in a relaxed (passive) state, confirmed by electromyography.

Results

SWV of the patellar tendon and quadriceps muscles increased with knee flexion (longer muscle–tendon unit; P < 0.001). Within the proximal third of the patellar tendon, SWV was lower in the posterior than anterior region at 70° (P = 0.002) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25°, 40° or 55° (region-by-angle interaction, P = 0.007). No differences were found between anterior and posterior regions within the middle third of the patellar tendon (P = 0.332). For the quadriceps muscles, a significant muscle-by-angle (P < 0.001) interaction was also observed. SWV of VL was greater than VM at 55° (P = 0.005), 70° (P = 0.001) and 85° (P < 0.001), but not at 25° or 40°. SWV of RF was lower than VL at all angles (all P < 0.002) and lower than VM at 55°, 70° and 85° (all P < 0.002).

Conclusions

Passive knee flexion at and beyond 70° was associated with non-uniform elastic properties within the proximal patellar tendon and between individual quadriceps muscles. To what extent this heterogeneity of passive elastic properties contributes to injury remains unknown.

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Abbreviations

EMG:

Electromyography

RF:

Rectus femoris

SWV:

Shear wave velocity

VL:

Vastus lateralis

VM:

Vastus medialis

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Melanie Plinsinga for assistance with data extraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Brooke K. Coombes, Brandon Ziegenfuss, Rohitha Badya & Kylie Tucker

  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    Michael David

  3. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, Australia

    Michael David

  4. NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    Wolbert van den Hoorn & François Hug

  5. Laboratory “Movement, Interactions, Performance” (EA 4334), University of Nantes, 44000, Nantes, France

    François Hug

  6. Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France

    François Hug

Authors
  1. Brooke K. Coombes
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  2. Brandon Ziegenfuss
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  3. Michael David
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  4. Rohitha Badya
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  5. Wolbert van den Hoorn
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  6. François Hug
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  7. Kylie Tucker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brooke K. Coombes.

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Funding

Dr. Coombes is in receipt of a Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women from The University of Queensland. No funding was received for the study itself.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest, financial or otherwise are declared by the authors.

Additional information

Communicated by Olivier Seynnes.

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Coombes, B.K., Ziegenfuss, B., David, M. et al. Heterogeneity of passive elastic properties within the quadriceps femoris muscle–tendon unit. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 213–221 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3763-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3763-1

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