Article
Biology
Filip Kukic, Vladimir Mrdakovic, Aleksandar Stankovic, Dusko Ilic
Summary: This study investigated the effects of knee joint angle on muscle activation, exerted torque, and whether the knee angle affects the muscle activation-torque ratio. The results showed that knee joint angle had an effect on torque, while muscle activation remained unaffected. Significant effects were not observed in the muscle activation-torque ratio for lateral and medial quadriceps heads. The investigated range of knee joint angles seems to provide optimal conditions for maximal muscle activation but not for torque output, ligament loading, and joint contact forces. Clinicians and sports coaches should carefully consider training goals and choose knee joint angles accordingly.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gernot O. O. Hering, Raphael Bertschinger, Jens Stepan
Summary: The specific activation patterns of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis impact individual performance during high-intensity cycling. Highly trained cyclists exhibit a strong activation of the rectus femoris during hip flexion, resulting in reduced negative force in the pedal cycle. Pre-activation of the rectus femoris during hip flexion reduces force loss and improves force development during leg extension. A higher performance level is associated with earlier and more intense coactivation of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Filip Kojic, Sasa Duric, Igor Ranisavljev, Stanimir Stojiljkovic, Vladimir Ilic
Summary: The study showed that there is a moderate to strong correlation between the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris and external load in both deep and parallel squats. Additionally, it was found that leg muscle mass is significantly associated with external load in the deep squat. The vastus lateralis had a slightly higher correlation with external load in the parallel squat compared to the deep squat, and the vastus medialis cross-sectional area was identified as the most crucial factor in manifesting strength in both squat types.
Article
Biophysics
Loren Z. F. Chiu, Torstein E. Daehlin
Summary: The study aimed to quantify the maximum force generating capacity of individual quadriceps muscles in three dimensions. Muscle architectural parameters from three cadaver specimens indicated that different partitions of the quadriceps muscles have distinct fascicle orientations and directions. These findings suggest a more complex three-dimensional architecture of the quadriceps than traditionally described in two dimensions.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Lukasz Olewnik, Richard Shane Tubbs, Kacper Ruzik, Michal Podgorski, Paloma Aragones, Anna Wasniewska, Piotr Karauda, Bartlomiej Szewczyk, Jose Ramon Sanudo, Michal Polguj
Summary: This study examined 106 lower limbs fixed in formalin and found that 64.1% of limbs had additional heads of the quadriceps femoris. The most common type was Type I with an independent fifth head, followed by Type II originating from other muscles, and Type III characterized by multiple heads. The study concludes that a new classification based on proximal attachments is necessary as the presence of additional heads varies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiroshi Akima, Kazuhiro Maeda, Norihiro Shima
Summary: The study compares the neuromuscular activation patterns of the different muscles of the quadriceps femoris during isokinetic concentric and eccentric contractions. Thirteen healthy men performed knee extensions at various velocities and joint angles, and the surface electromyographic activities were recorded. The results show that the neuromuscular activation of the quadriceps femoris is angle-dependent, with the vastus intermedius playing a significant role during flexed contractions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Chris Mawhinney, Ilkka Heinonen, David A. Low, Chunlei Han, Helen Jones, Kari K. Kalliokoski, Anna Kirjavainen, Jukka Kemppainen, Valter Di Salvo, Lorenzo Lolli, N. Tim Cable, Warren Gregson
Summary: The study revealed that lower temperature CWI resulted in decreased global quadriceps muscle perfusion, while higher temperature CWI did not have an effect. The effects of CWI on specific regions of muscle perfusion varied based on the temperature.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Anna L. Falkowski, Jon A. Jacobson, Michael T. Hirschmann, Vivek Kalia
Summary: Quadriceps femoris tendon tears are most commonly found in the rectus femoris or vastus lateralis/vastus medialis layers, usually in proximity to the patella. A bony avulsion is correlated with a more severe tear.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Derrick Lim, Mikael Del Castillo, Austin J. Bergquist, Matija Milosevic, Kei Masani
Summary: This study systematically investigated the contribution of individual motor points of the quadriceps femoris muscle to knee joint torque during paired electrical stimuli. The results showed significant differences in torque contributions among the motor points, demonstrating the potential for selective activation of muscle groups using NMES. These findings provide valuable information for designing rehabilitation protocols utilizing NMES on the quadriceps femoris muscles.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Robert M. Hoffmann, Katelyn A. Ariagno, Ivy V. Pham, Carol E. Barnewolt, Delma Y. Jarrett, Nilesh M. Mehta, David B. Kantor
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the reliability of ultrasound in measuring quadriceps femoris muscle thickness in critically ill children and to explore its relationship with fluid balance and nutritional intake. The results show that ultrasound measurements of quadriceps femoris muscle thickness are reliable and associated with nutritional intake.
PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomohisa Koyama, Kentaro Uchida, Makoto Itakura, Masayuki Miyagi, Ryo Tazawa, Gen Inoue, Kensuke Fukushima, Yoshihisa Ohashi, Ayumi Tsukada, Masashi Takaso
Summary: The expression of APJ in skeletal muscle decreases with age, possibly due to the elevated levels of TNF-alpha observed in older individuals. TNF-alpha can suppress the expression of APJ in muscle cells in vitro, indicating a potential interconnection between TNF-alpha elevation and APJ reduction in aging.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Joao Pinto-Ramos, Cristina Costa-Santos, Frederico Costa, Helena Tavares, Joao Cabral, Tiago Moreira, Rui Brito, Joana Barroso, Bernardo Sousa-Pinto
Summary: This study aimed to assess the reliability of point-of-care ultrasound for estimating quadriceps and rectus femoris thickness in patients from a rehabilitation setting. The results showed high reliability for both intrarater and inter-rater measurements. Trained and untrained observers had similar ICC values, indicating that prior training may not significantly affect the reliability of measurements.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deepak Srivastava
Summary: The cytokine meteorin-like (METRNL) has been found to improve cardiac function in mice after a heart attack.
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Necla Ozturk, Haris Begovic, Pinar Demir, Filiz Can, Suha Yagcioglu
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of transverse friction massage (TFM) on electromechanical delay and complexity of surface electromechanical activity in the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles, and to explore the mechanisms underlying TFM-induced alterations in muscle dynamics. The results showed that TFM increased delay between mechanomyography and force, as well as electromyography and force in the RF, while it decreased delay between electromyography and mechanomyography in the VM. TFM also decreased fractal dimension in the RF and increased it in the VM. These findings suggest that TFM reduces muscle stiffness and duration of electrochemical processes, and indicate the potential use of EMG complexity as a parameter for evaluating intervention effects on quadriceps muscles.
FRACTAL AND FRACTIONAL
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Lukasz Olewnik, Nicol Zielinska, Paloma Aragones, Kacper Ruzik, Friedrich Paulsen, Andrzej Borowski, Robert F. Laprade
Summary: This study assessed the presence of additional layers in the quadriceps femoris system and provided a detailed anatomy of the quadriceps tendon. The findings showed that the accessory heads of the quadriceps femoris muscle contribute to the layering of the quadriceps tendon. Additionally, the study suggested using different safe distances depending on the types of quadriceps tendon layering.
KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Rob J. MacLennan, Jacob A. Mota, Brennan J. Thompson, Matt S. Stock
Summary: This study aimed to explore the changes in muscle strength and motor unit behavior in middle-school boys after strength training and conditioning. The results showed that training led to improvements in strength during rapid isokinetic muscle actions but had no effect on maximal isometric strength or motor unit control, suggesting that motor unit adaptations in youth may be task-specific.
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mitchel A. Magrini, Ryan J. Colquhoun, Matt C. Ferrell, Sydnie R. Fleming, Jacob A. Mota, Jacob A. Siedlik, Nick M. Poidomani, Nathaniel D. M. Jenkins, Jason M. DeFreitas
Summary: This study found that older men rely more on muscle activation compared to younger men in the early phase of voluntary torque development, and MUNE does not have an age-related effect on torque development.
JOURNAL OF MOTOR BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zachary S. Logeson, Rob J. MacLennan, Gerard-Kyle B. Abad, Johnathon M. Methven, Molly R. Gradl, Matheus D. Pinto, Ronei S. Pinto, Matt S. Stock
Summary: The Echo intensity (EI) is a novel tool for muscle quality assessment. By analyzing specific EI bands, unique insights into the effectiveness of exercise and rehabilitation interventions can be gained. Changes in muscle quality during disuse are not uniform across the pixel histogram, with significant differences observed between certain EI bands.
Article
Rehabilitation
Alexander Peller, Rishi Garib, Emily Garbe, Daniel Komforti, Chett Joffe, Adonis Magras, Ashleigh Trapuzzano, Matt S. Stock, Nicole T. Dawson
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the NIH Toolbox (R) balance assessment in older adults. The results indicated acceptable criterion validity and moderate overlap between the NIH Toolbox (R) and the Biodex SD m-CTSIB, suggesting that the NIH Toolbox (R) can be considered for use in clinical evaluations.
PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ryan M. Girts, Kylie K. Harmon, Jason Pagan, Ariel Alberto, Manuel G. Hernandez, Matt S. Stock
Summary: The intensity of echoes in ultrasound images may be affected by image depth and gain settings, and researchers should carefully consider these factors when conducting studies.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Michael R. Deschenes, Matt S. Stock
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cameron S. Mackey, Ryan M. Thiele, David J. Sanders, Jason M. DeFreitas
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a Thorstensson fatigue protocol affects isokinetic and isometric performance characteristics. The results showed that the peak torque, rate of torque development, and maximum acceleration significantly decreased after performing isokinetic contractions, but to different magnitudes. There was a significant positive relationship between isometric and isokinetic peak torque fatigue indices, as well as between isometric peak torque fatigue index and rate of torque development fatigue index. However, no significant relationship was observed between rate of torque development fatigue index and maximum acceleration fatigue index, or between isokinetic peak torque fatigue index and maximum acceleration fatigue index.
ISOKINETICS AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kylie K. Harmon, Ryan M. Girts, Jason Pagan, Gabriela Rodriguez, Matt S. Stock
Summary: Muscle weakness is a common problem in older adults. This study found that observing strong contractions may have a preservatory effect on muscular strength and increase corticospinal excitability. However, more research is needed to confirm and explore this phenomenon.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Bradley A. Ruple, Morgan A. Smith, Shelby C. Osburn, Casey L. Sexton, Joshua S. Godwin, Joseph L. Edison, Christopher N. Poole, Matt S. Stock, Andrew D. Fruge, Kaelin C. Young, Michael D. Roberts
Summary: This study examines how different midthigh muscle imaging techniques and histology compare with each other in participants who underwent 10 weeks of resistance training. The findings suggest that histology results have poor agreement with results from other common muscle imaging techniques, highlighting a limitation that researchers should be aware of.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Matt S. Stock, Megan E. Bodden, Jenna M. Bloch, Karen L. Starnes, Gabriela Rodriguez, Ryan M. Girts
Summary: Acute, non-specific low back pain does not impair peak and rapid force or muscle excitation. Hexagonal barbells may optimize knee extensor and trapezius activation. Deadlift-based force assessments appear safe and may be useful in the assessment of functional strength in patients with acute, non-specific low back pain.
Editorial Material
Sport Sciences
Justin W. Andrushko, Joshua C. Carr, Jonathan P. Farthing, Lindsey K. Lepley, Jason M. Defreitas, Stuart Goodall, Ashlee M. Hendy, Glyn Howatson, Dustin R. Grooms, Tjerk Zult, Tibor Hortobagyi, Gulcan Harput, Maria Papandreou, Kazunori Nosaka, Richard G. Carson, Andrea Manca, Franca Deriu, David George Behm, Dawson J. Kidgell, Nicholas C. Clark, Lara A. Boyd
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jonathan P. Beausejour, Paul Bohlen, Kylie K. Harmon, Ryan M. Girts, Jason I. Pagan, Debbie L. Hahs-Vaughn, Trent J. Herda, Matt S. Stock
Summary: Approaches for validating motor unit firing times following surface EMG signal decomposition have not been agreed upon. This study compared motor unit results using the reconstruct-and-test and spike-triggered averaging approaches. The application of STA had minimal influence on the surface EMG signal decomposition results. Stringent reconstruct-and-test accuracy thresholds influenced motor unit-derived relationships at high forces, potentially due to the increased presence of large motor unit action potentials. Investigators can expect negligible changes in motor unit-derived linear regression relationships with the application of secondary validation procedures using the PDIII algorithm.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David A. Sherman, Justin Rush, Matt S. Stock, Christopher D. Ingersoll, Grant E. Norte
Summary: The study revealed that ACLR patients exhibited lower MVIC torque in the involved limb, as well as a smaller mass-normalized RT range and slower MU firing rates at high contraction intensities.
Meeting Abstract
Sport Sciences
Rob J. MacLennan, Jesus A. Hernandez-Sarabia, Jason I. Pagan, Ryan M. Girts, Kylie K. Harmon, Katharina Stute, Nicholas A. Coker, Joshua C. Carr, Xin Ye, Matt S. Stock, Jason M. DeFreitas
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Sport Sciences
Lexie Chavez, Alejandra Barrera-Curiel, JoCarol Shields, Jesus A. Hernandez-Sarabia, Tyler Danielson, Rob J. MacLennan, Jason M. DeFreitas
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
John J. Buchanan, Alberto Cordova
Summary: Research has shown that spontaneous visual coupling supports frequency entrainment, phase attraction, and intermittent interpersonal coordination during the switch from a novision (NV) to vision (V) context among co-actors. The experiments demonstrate that similar self-paced frequencies result from same amplitude movements, while different amplitudes lead to disparate frequencies. In experiment 1, co-actors were instructed to maintain amplitude without explicit instructions for coordination, which limited frequency and phase entrainment in the V context. In experiment 2, co-actors were instructed to maintain amplitude and intentionally coordinate together, resulting in significant frequency modulations and the production of various stable relative phase patterns.
HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCE
(2024)
