Pre-Strained Epimuscular Connections Cause Muscular Myofascial Force Transmission to Affect Properties of Synergistic EHL and EDL Muscles of the Rat

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 819-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can A. Yucesoy ◽  
Guus C. Baan ◽  
Bart H. F. J. M. Koopman ◽  
Henk J. Grootenboer ◽  
Peter A. Huijing
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Length ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Extensor Hallucis Longus ◽  
Edl Muscle ◽  
Force Difference ◽  
Force Characteristics

Background: Myofascial force transmission occurs between muscles (intermuscular myofascial force transmission) and from muscles to surrounding nonmuscular structures such as neurovascular tracts and bone (extramuscular myofascial force transmission). The purpose was to investigate the mechanical role of the epimuscular connections (the integral system of inter- and extramuscular connections) as well as the isolated role of extramuscular connections on myofascial force transmission and to test the hypothesis, if such connections are prestrained. Method of approach: Length-force characteristics of extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscle of the rat were measured in two conditions: (I) with the neighboring EDL muscle and epimuscular connections of the muscles intact: EDL was kept at a constant muscle tendon complex length. (II) After removing EDL, leaving EHL with intact extramuscular connections exclusively. Results: (I) Epimuscular connections of the tested muscles proved to be prestrained significantly. (1) Passive EHL force was nonzero for all isometric EHL lengths including very low lengths, increasing with length to approximately 13% of optimum force at high length. (2) Significant proximodistal EDL force differences were found at all EHL lengths: Initially, proximal EDL force =1.18±0.11N, where as distal EDL force =1.50±0.08N (mean ± SE). EHL lengthening decreased the proximo-distal EDL force difference significantly (by 18.4%) but the dominance of EDL distal force remained. This shows that EHL lengthening reduces the prestrain on epimuscular connections via intermuscular connections; however; the prestrain on the extramuscular connections of EDL remains effective. (II) Removing EDL muscle affected EHL forces significantly. (1) Passive EHL forces decreased at all muscle lengths by approximately 17%. However, EHL passive force was still nonzero for the entire isometric EHL length range, indicating pre-strain of extramuscular connections of EHL. This indicates that a substantial part of the effects originates solely from the extramuscular connections of EHL. However, a role for intermuscular connections between EHL and EDL, when present, cannot be excluded. (2) Total EHL forces included significant shape changes in the length-force curve (e.g., optimal EHL force decreased significantly by 6%) showing that due to myofascial force transmission muscle length-force characteristics are not specific properties of individual muscles. Conclusions: The pre-strain in the epimuscular connections of EDL and EHL indicate that these myofascial pathways are sufficiently stiff to transmit force even after small changes in relative position of a muscle with respect to its neighboring muscular and nonmuscular tissues. This suggests the likelihood of such effects also in vivo.

Myofascial force transmission: muscle relative position and length determine agonist and synergist muscle force

2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 1092-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Huijing ◽  
Guus C. Baan
Keyword(s):  
Relative Position ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Force ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Constant Length ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Extensor Hallucis Longus ◽  
Force Difference

Equal proximal and distal lengthening of rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were studied. Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and EDL were active maximally. The connective tissues around these muscle bellies were left intact. Proximal EDL forces differed from distal forces, indicating myofascial force transmission to structures other than the tendons. Higher EDL distal force was exerted (ratio ≈118%) after distal than after equal proximal lengthening. For proximal force, the reverse occurred (ratio ≈157%). Passive EDL force exerted at the lengthened end was 7–10 times the force exerted at the nonlengthened end. While kept at constant length, synergists (tibialis anterior + extensor hallucis longus: active muscle force difference ≈ −10%) significantly decreased in force by distal EDL lengthening, but not by proximal EDL lengthening. We conclude that force exerted at the tendon at the lengthened end of a muscle is higher because of the extra load imposed by myofascial force transmission on parts of the muscle belly. This is mediated by changes of the relative position of most parts of the lengthened muscle with respect to neighboring muscles and to compartment connective tissues. As a consequence, muscle relative position is a major codeterminant of muscle force for muscle with connectivity of its belly close to in vivo conditions.

INTRA-, EXTRA- AND INTERMUSCULAR MYOFASCIAL FORCE TRANSMISION OF SYNERGISTS AND ANTAGONISTS: EFFECTS OF MUSCLE LENGTH AS WELL AS RELATIVE POSITION

2002 ◽  
Vol 02 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 405-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER A. HUIJING
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Relative Position ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Muscle Belly ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Antagonist Muscles ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
Edl Muscle

The concepts of intramuscular myofascial force transmission is reintroduced and reviewed on the basis of experiments involving tenotomy and aponeurotomy of dissected rat EDL muscle studied in situ. Results from experiments with measurements of force of EDL muscle, of which the muscle belly was not dissected (i.e. the muscle is surrounded by its natural connective tissue milieu) are discussed. In such experiments, force was measured at proximal as well as distal EDL tendons. Examples of experimental evidence for both extramuscular and intermuscular myofascial force transmission within the rat anterior crural compartment are presented. Evidence is presented also for differential effects of proximal and distal lengthening on myofascial force transmission from EDL, even for the case in which symmetric length changes were imposed on the muscle. It is shown that myofascial force transmission effects are not limited to synergists located within one compartment, but do also play a very substantial role in the interaction between antagonist muscles in neighbouring anterior crural and peroneal compartments.

scholarly journals Not merely a protective packing organ? A review of fascia and its force transmission capacity

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Wilke ◽  
Robert Schleip ◽  
Can A. Yucesoy ◽  
Winfried Banzer
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Transmitted Force ◽  
Muscle Fascia ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Recent research indicates that fascia is capable of changing its biomechanical properties. Moreover, as it links the skeletal muscles, forming a body-wide network of multidirectional myofascial continuity, the classical conception of muscles as independent actuators has been challenged. Hence, the present synthesis review aims to characterize the mechanical relevance of the connective tissue for the locomotor system. Results of cadaveric and animal studies suggest a clinically relevant myofascial force transmission to neighboring structures within one limb (e.g., between synergists) and in the course of muscle-fascia chains (e.g., between leg and trunk). Initial in vivo trials appear to underpin these findings, demonstrating the existence of nonlocal exercise effects. However, the factors influencing the amount of transmitted force (e.g., age and physical activity) remain controversial, as well as the role of the central nervous system within the context of the observed remote exercise effects.

Myofascial force transmission between a single muscle head and adjacent tissues: length effects of head III of rat EDL

2003 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 2004-2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huub Maas ◽  
Richard T. Jaspers ◽  
Guus C. Baan ◽  
Peter A. Huijing
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Extensor Hallucis Longus ◽  
Optimal Force ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
Edl Muscle ◽  
Isometric Forces ◽  
Distal Tendon

Force transmission from muscle fibers via the connective tissue network (i.e., myofascial force transmission) is an important determinant of muscle function. This study investigates the role of myofascial pathways for force transmission from multitendoned extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle within an intact anterior crural compartment. Effects of length changes exclusively of head III of rat EDL muscle (EDL III) on myofascial force transmission were assessed. EDL III was lengthened at the distal tendon. For different lengths of EDL III, isometric forces were measured at the distal tendon of EDL III, as well as at the proximal tendon of whole EDL and at the distal tendons of tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus (TA+EHL) muscles. Lengthening of EDL III caused high changes in force exerted at the distal tendon of EDL III (from 0 to 1.03 ± 0.07 N). In contrast, only minor changes were found in force exerted at the proximal EDL tendon (from 2.37 ± 0.09 to 2.53 ± 0.10 N). Increasing the length of EDL III decreased TA+EHL force significantly (by 7%, i.e., from 5.62 ± 0.27 to 5.22 ± 0.32 N). These results show that force is transmitted between EDL III and adjacent tissues via myofascial pathways. Optimal force exerted at the distal tendon of EDL III (1.03 ± 0.07 N) was more than twice the force expected on the basis of the physiological cross-sectional area of EDL III muscle fibers (0.42 N). Therefore, a substantial fraction of this force must originate from sources other than EDL III. It is concluded that myofascial pathways play an important role in force transmission from multitendoned muscles.

BTX-A Administration to the Target Muscle Affects Forces of All Muscles Within an Intact Compartment and Epimuscular Myofascial Force Transmission

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Can A. Yucesoy ◽  
Önder Emre Arıkan ◽  
Filiz Ateş
Keyword(s):  
Botulinum Toxin Type A ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Botulinum Toxin Type ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Intact Muscle

Measurement of forces of mono- and bi-articular muscles of an entire intact muscle compartment can allow for a comprehensive assessment of the effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) both at and beyond the injection site, and in conditions close to those in vivo. The goal was to test the hypotheses that BTX-A affects (1) the forces of not only the injected but also the noninjected muscles of the compartment, and (2) epimuscular myofascial force transmission (EMFT). Two groups of Wistar rats were tested: Control (no BTX-A injected) and BTX (0.1 units of BTX-A were injected exclusively to the mid-belly of TA). Isometric forces were measured simultaneously at the distal tendons of the tibialis anterior (TA) at different lengths, the restrained extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscles and at the proximal tendon of EDL. Five days post-injection, BTX-A did affect the total forces of all muscles significantly: (1) The TA force decreased differentially (by 46.6%–55.9%) for most lengths such that a significant negative correlation was found between force reductions and increased muscle length. The maximum TA force decreased by 47.3%. However, the muscle’s length range of force production did not change significantly. (2) Distal and proximal EDL forces decreased (on average by 67.8% and 62.9%, respectively). (3) The EHL force also decreased (on average by 9.2%). The passive forces of only the TA showed a significant increase at higher lengths. EMFT effects were shown for the control group: (1) at the shortest TA lengths, the EDL proximo-distal force differences were in favor of the distal force, which was reversed at higher lengths. (2) the EHL force measured at the shortest TA length decreased (by 34%) as a function of TA lengthening. After BTX-A exposure, such EMFT effects disappeared for the EDL, whereas they remained as profound for the EHL. Exposure to BTX-A does affect forces of all muscles operating in an intact compartment. For the BTX-A injected muscle, the reduction in muscle force becomes less pronounced at higher muscle lengths. BTX-A also has effects on EMFT, however, these effects are not uniform within the anterior crural compartment. Decreased forces of the noninjected synergistic muscles suggest the presence of unintended additional effects of BTX-A both for the targeted distal joint and for the nontargeted proximal joint.

Implications of Muscle Relative Position as a Co-Determinant of Isometric Muscle Force

2003 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 145-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huub Maas ◽  
Can A. Yucesoy ◽  
Guus C. Baan ◽  
Peter A. Huijing
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Relative Position ◽  
Muscle Force ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Isometric Muscle ◽  
Isometric Muscle Force

Force is transmitted from muscle fiber to bone via several pathways: (1) via the tendons (i.e. myotendinous force transmission), (2) via intermuscular connective tissue to adjacent muscles (i.e. intermuscular myofascial force transmission), (3) via structures other than muscles (i.e. extramuscular myofascial force transmission). In vivo, the position of a muscle relative to adjacent muscles changes due to differences in moment arm between synergists as well as due to the fact that some muscles span only one joint and other muscles more than one joint. The position of a muscle relative to non-muscular structures within a compartment is altered with each change of the length of the muscle. The aim of this article is to describe recent experimental results, as well as some new experimental data, that have elucidated the role of muscle relative position on force transmission from muscle. Furthermore, relevant literature is discussed, taking into consideration these new insights of muscle functioning. It is concluded that the position of a muscle relative to surrounding tissues is a major co-determinant of isometric muscle force. For muscles operating within their in vivo context of connective tissue, such position effects should be taken into account.

The Relative Position of EDL Muscle Affects the Length of Sarcomeres Within Muscle Fibers: Experimental Results and Finite-Element Modeling

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huub Maas ◽  
Guus C. Baan ◽  
Peter A. Huijing ◽  
Can A. Yucesoy ◽  
Bart H. F. J. M. Koopman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Finite Element Modeling ◽  
Relative Position ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Element Modeling ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Edl Muscle

Background : Effects of extramuscular connective tissues on muscle force (experimentally measured) and lengths of sarcomeres (modeled) were investigated in rat. It was hypothesized that changes of muscle-relative position affect the distribution of lengths of sarcomeres within muscle fibers. Method of approach: The position of extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) relative to intact extramuscular connective tissues of the anterior crural compartment was manipulated without changing its muscle-tendon complex length. Results: Significant effects of EDL muscle relative position on proximal and distal EDL forces were found, indicating changes of extramuscular myofascial force transmission. EDL isometric force exerted at its proximal and distal tendons differed significantly. Finite-element modeling showed that the distribution of lengths of sarcomeres is altered by changes of muscle-relative position. Conclusions: It is concluded that forces exerted on a muscle via extramuscular myofascial pathways augment distributions of lengths of sarcomeres within that muscle.

scholarly journals Myofascial force transmission in the lower limb: An in vivo experiment

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hellen Veloso Rocha Marinho ◽  
Giovanna Mendes Amaral ◽  
Bruno Souza Moreira ◽  
Thiago Ribeiro Teles Santos ◽  
Fabrício Anicio Magalhães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
In Vivo Experiment ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission

scholarly journals Myofascial Force Transmission in the Humans: A Systematic Scoping Review of In-Vivo Studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Ajimsha ◽  
Praveen Surendran ◽  
Prasobh Jacob ◽  
Pramod Shenoy ◽  
Mohammed Bilal
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Myofascial Force Transmission ◽  
Force Transfer ◽  
Musculoskeletal Function ◽  
Based Medicine

Background: The fascial system provides an environment that enables all body systems to operate in an integrated manner and is capable of modifying its tensional state in response to the stress applied to it. Recent in vitro, animal and cadaveric studies have shown that “myofascial force transfer” (MFT) has the potential to play a major role in musculoskeletal function and dysfunction.Objective: Human evidence for the existence of invivo MFT is scarce. This scoping review attempts to gather and analyse the available evidence of the in-vivo human MFT studies in order to sustain and facilitate further research and evidence based practice in this field.Methods: A search of most major databases was conducted with relevant keywords that yielded 238 articles as of August 2020. A qualitative analysis of the studies was conducted after rating it with Oxford’s Center for Evidence –based Medicine (CEBM) scale.Result: Nineteen studies ranging from randomized controlled trials to case studies covering 540 patients were included in this review. The analysed studies were highly heterogeneous and of lower methodological quality meddling with the quantitative analysis. Ten studies are confirming a ‘most likely’ existence of MFT, eight studies confirming it as ‘likely’ and one study couldn’t confirm any MFT existence in this review.Conclusion: Findings from in vivo human studies supports the animal and cadaveric studies claiming the existence of MFT which need to be corroborated by the future high quality studies. Forthcoming studies on MFT may give answers and solutions to many of the human musculoskeletal mysteries or dysfunctions.

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