Elucidating menicanisms of muscle damage focused on the unique behavior of biarticular muscles

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20055
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Shizuoka Sangyo University
• Principal Investigator: Ema Ryoichi 静岡産業大学, スポーツ科学部, 准教授 (10768196)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 筋損傷 / 二関節筋 / 関節角度 / サイクリング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Skeletal muscles, commonly known as muscles, often undergo eccentric contractions during physical activities, including sports, where they exert force while lengthening. High-intensity eccentric contractions can result in muscle damage, leading to delayed-onset muscle soreness, decreased physical performance, and even injuries. The mechanism of muscle damage in biarticular muscles (muscles that cross two joints) was investigated. It was found that performing eccentric exercises with the proximal joint extended leads to greater muscle damage compared to exercising with the joint flexed. This may be related to the greater length change during exercise when the proximal joint is extended.

Free Research Field

バイオメカニクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

二関節筋は身体運動において重要な役割を果たすことが分かっている。その二関節筋に筋損傷が生じると、身体運動パフォーマンスの低下や、筋肉痛による運動意欲の減退、ひいては不活動につながる恐れがある。本研究の結果を活用することで、パフォーマンスの低下や不活動を防ぐための効果的な方法を開発することができると考えられる。