Vastus lateralis muscle architecture to estimate knee extension moment of older individuals

Guilherme Auler Brodt,Jeam Marcel Geremia,Marco Aurélio Vaz,Mônica De Oliveira Melo,Jefferson Fagundes Loss

doi:10.1590/s1980-65742015000400013

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the knee extension moment of older individuals with the muscle moment estimated through a biomechanical model. This was accomplished by using (1) the specific muscle architecture data of individuals, and (2) the generic muscle architecture available in the literature. The muscle force estimate was determined using a model with the muscle architecture from cadavers and the individual vastus lateralis muscle architecture of sixteen older volunteers. For the muscle moment comparison, all of the volunteers performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) in five different knee extension position angles. The architectural data was acquired using both resonance and ultrasound imaging. Both estimated muscle moments (generic and individual) were higher than the experimental. The architecture of the other vastii may be necessary to make the model more accurate for the older population. Although other factors inherent to ageing, such as co-contractions, fiber type percentage, and passive forces are not considered in the model, they could be responsible for the differences between moments in older people.

Highlights

Mechanical changes in muscle force production during aging have been documented
In addition to directly measuring the muscle, the muscle moment can be estimated by muscle models, such as the Hill-based muscle models (Thelen, 2003)
The results of the present study show that, regardless of the evaluated angle of the knee extension, estimating the muscle moment using generic muscle architecture or individual muscle architecture as parameters for the model leads to an overestimation of the experimental muscle moment performed by the older individuals

Summary

Introduction

Healthy older adults show a substantial loss of muscle strength (Akima et al, 2001; Frontera, 2006; Narici, Maffulli, & Maganaris, 2008), a decrease in muscle thickness, and a shortening of fascicle muscle length (Baroni et al, 2013; Kubo et al, 2003). These gradual changes can directly affect how older people perform the activities of daily living. In addition to directly measuring the muscle, the muscle moment can be estimated by muscle models, such as the Hill-based muscle models (Thelen, 2003)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion