2005 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
A study on changes in flexibility by growth and aging and development of the methodology to improve flexibility
| Project/Area Number |
15500406
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Physical education
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| Research Institution | Waseda University |
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Principal Investigator |
KAWAKAMI Yasuo Waseda University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Professor, スポーツ科学学術院, 教授 (60234027)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2003 – 2005
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| Keywords | flexibility / joint range of motion / muscle-tendon unit / aging / growth / gender difference / muscle strength |
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| Research Abstract |
In the present research project, I defined flexibility as the range of motion (ROM) of the joint, and carried out a series of studies with the following three aims, i.e., 1) to elucidate determinants of ROM, with respect to musculotendinous properties, 2) to clarify gender differences and effects of growth and aging on ROM and their determinants, and 3) to investigate the plasticity of ROM. For these aims, I developed a system with which passive ROM was measured in a well-controlled loading condition and extensibility of the muscle-tendon unit was measured in vivo. Throughout the series of studies, I focused on ankle plantar-and dorsi-flexion ROM by studying behavior of the triceps surae and tibialis anterior muscles. The following findings were obtained. 1) It was shown that ROM should be evaluated both in passive and active conditions, and that muscle size, strength, and elastic properties of the muscle-tendon unit were selected as determinants of passive and active ROM. 2) There was a gender difference in ROM (women larger than men) that was related particularly with extensibility of the tendon, but the relationship was a function of age. 3) Static stretching of the muscles resulted in an increase in ROM that was accompanied by further elongation of tendon but not of muscle fibers. Bed rest induced similar changes in ROM and tendon properties. Furthermore, the interdependence among muscle size, strength, architecture, and musculotendinous mechanical properties was studied in detail. Studies on the relationship between deformation of the muscle-tendon unit induced by passive lengthening, active contractions and joint torque indicated the possibility of plasticity of musculotendinous mechanical properties, suggesting potentials of these procedures as the way to improve ROM.
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[Journal Article] Kurihara T, Oda T, Chino K, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T, Kawakami Y.2005
Author(s)
Kurihara T, Oda T, Chino K, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T, Kawakami Y.
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Journal Title
International Journal of Sport and Health Science 3
Pages: 226-234
Description
「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
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