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Theis, Nicola 
ORCID: 0000-0002-0775-1355, Mohagheghi, Amir A and Korff, Thomas
(2016)
Mechanical and material properties of the plantar flexor muscles and Achilles tendon in children with spastic cerebral palsy and typically developing children.
Journal of Biomechanics, 49 (13).
pp. 3004-3008.
doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.07.020
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Text (Peer reviewed version)
Mechanical and material properties of the plantarflexor muscles and Achilles tendon.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0. Download (216kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Children with spastic cerebral palsy(CP)experience secondary musculoskeletal adaptations, affecting the mechanical and material properties of muscles and tendons. CP-related changes in the spastic muscle are well documented whilst less is known about the tendon. From a clinical perspective, it is important to understand alterations in tendon properties in order to tailor interventions or interpret clinical tests more appropriately. The main purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical and material properties of the Achilles tendon in children with cerebral palsy to those of typically developing children. Methods: Using a combination of ultrasonography and motion analysis, we determined tendon mechanical properties in ten children with spastic cerebral palsy and ten aged-matched typically developing children. Specifically, we quantified muscle and tendon stiffness, tendon slack length, tendon strain, cross-sectional area, Young's Modulus and the strain rate dependence of tendon stiffness. Findings: Children with CP had a greater muscle to tendon stiffness ratio compared to typically developing children. Despite a smaller tendon cross-sectional area and greater tendon slack length, no group differences were observed in tendon stiffness or Young's Modulus. The slope describing the stiffness strain-rate response was steeper in children with cerebral palsy. Interpretation: These results provide us with a more differentiated understanding of the muscle and tendon mechanical properties, which would be relevant for future research and paediatric clinicians.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Article Type: | Article |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ125 Physiology of children and adolescents R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ125 Physiology of children and adolescents > RJ131 Children Growth. Child development R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ370 Diseases of children and adolescents |
| 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: | 20 Oct 2017 12:41 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Aug 2023 09:09 |
| URI: | https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/5018 |
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