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Theis, Nicola 
ORCID: 0000-0002-0775-1355, Mohagheghi, Amir A and Korff, Thomas
(2012)
Method and strain rate dependence of Achilles tendon stiffness.
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 22 (6).
pp. 947-953.
doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.06.004
Abstract
Tendon stiffness is calculated by dividing changes in tendon force by tendon elongation. For this purpose, participants are commonly asked to perform a maximal muscle contraction (‘‘active’’ method). Alternatively tendon elongation can be achieved by means of a passive joint rotation (‘‘passive’’ method). The purpose of this study was to compare Achilles tendon stiffness obtained from both methods across different tendon strain rates. Twenty adults performed a series of ramped maximum isometric plantarflexions of different durations. Passive ankle rotations of different angular velocities were also performed. Achilles tendon stiffness was obtained from a combination of motion analysis, isokinetic dynamometry and ultrasonography and compared across methods at three strain rates. At all strain rates, tendon stiffness obtained from the active method was 6% greater compared to the passive method. In spite of this systematic bias, there was good agreement between the methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients were greater than 0.98, and more than 95% of data points fell into the 95% confidence intervals. This agreement will be acceptable in many research contexts. We also found a linear increase in tendon stiffness with increasing strain rate, which must be taken into consideration when interpreting or reporting tendon stiffness.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Article Type: | Article |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Tendon; Velocity; Strain rate |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QP Physiology |
| Divisions: | Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science |
| Research Priority Areas: | Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing |
| Depositing User: | Nicola Theis |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Nov 2017 16:31 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Aug 2023 09:10 |
| URI: | https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/5012 |
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