Effects of Series Elastic Component on Force Velocity Curve and Peak Power in Concentric Elbow Flexion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of the series elastic component (SEC) to muscle-tendon complex (MTC) power during concentric elbow flexion. The subjects were 8 healthy female students. Subjects maximally flexed the elbow joint from 60 to 90 degrees from a relaxed state. A randomized weight load from 1.0kgw to 5.0kgw, in 1.0kgw increments was used. The anatomical parameters of elbow flexor muscles were estimated beforehand. The Hill type model was utilized to discuss the performance of the elbow flexor MTC. The peak MTC power was observed between 83 to 86 deg for all weight loads. The averages of MTC power at 85 deg from 1.0 to 5.0kgw (29 to 49% of maximal force) ranged from 160 to 174W, respectively. The averages of the contractile component (CC) power ranged from 149 to 164W and SEC power values ranged from 9.6 to 11.6W, respectively. An analysis of the data using Hill's equations revealed that the average optimal load to provide maximal MTC power at 85 deg was 42% of maximal force. In this condition, the contribution of SEC on MTC power was 6.2%. In the conditions ranging from 0%<maximal force<100%, the contributions of SEC varied from 4.9 to 7.8%. Therefore, the peak MTC power generation in concentric contraction was not greatly affected by the recoiled elastic energy of SEC.