Evaluation of function of deep and superficial muscles in humans

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H02142
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Developmental mechanisms and the body works
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Akima Hiroshi 名古屋大学, 総合保健体育科学センター, 教授 (40292841)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 骨格筋 / 筋束 / 神経筋活動 / 表面筋電図 / 超音波断層装置

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of triceps brachii (TB) muscle architecture on muscle contraction patterns and neuromuscular activity. Thirteen young men and women exerted isometric muscle strength at 50% and 75% of voluntary elbow extension (MVC) at elbow joint angles of 60, 90, and 120 degrees. As a result, the TB-long head fascicle lengths were significantly shortened at the elbow joint angles of 60 and 90 degrees compared to the rest. Next, we examined the neuromuscular activity of the TB muscles. As a result, the muscle activity of the three TB muscles increased linearly with the exertion of force. From the above results, it was shown that in the human TM muscle, no significant change in muscle architecture or muscle activity was observed with muscle contraction, which is significantly different from the result of the quadriceps femoris muscle, which is an anti-gravity muscle.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では肘を伸ばす筋肉（上腕三頭筋）の力発揮時の筋肉の形と筋活動について検討した．その結果，上腕三頭筋を構成する3つの筋肉間での力発揮時の形の変化と筋活動パターンには劇的な変化は見られなかった．これは我々がこれまで対象としてきた抗重力筋である大腿四頭筋とは異なった．この違いは上腕三頭筋と大腿四頭筋の体における役割の違いや発揮できる力の大きさの違いなどに起因していると考えている．上腕三頭筋は車椅子における最大の動力源となる筋肉でこの筋肉の特性を調べることは大変に意義あるものだと考えている．したがって，本研究は身体的に障害を持つ方々においても重要な示唆を与えるものであると考えている．