Development of training and maintenance methods based on the mechanical and metabolic properties of muscles and tendons

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H04070
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kubo Keitaro 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 教授 (70323459)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 筋スティッフネス / 伸張ー短縮サイクル / 超音波

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It was shown that muscle stiffness under active conditions (i.e., active muscle stiffness) was influenced by angular velocity conditions and was related to the training velocity performed on a daily basis. On the other hand, in order to explore the factors contributing to the age-related decline in power in the middle-aged group, the mechanical properties of muscle-tendon and jumping ability were compared with those of the younger group in the plantar flexor muscles, but no significant differences were found between the two groups. Acupuncture, which is used to treat tendon disorders, showed differences in tendon blood circulation in the patellar and Achilles tendons, but acupressure stimulation, which does not cause pain, showed no such regional differences and showed changes comparable to those seen with acupuncture.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では新たにアクティブ筋スティッフネスが、測定時の角速度や日常のトレーニング時の速度に影響を受けることが示された。さらに、腱ヒステリシスが測定時の弛緩時間に大きく影響することも明らかになった。さらに、特別な資格や用具を必要としない指圧刺激が、腱障害の治癒に効果がある鍼治療と同程度に腱血液循環を変化させることが明らかになり、手軽に実施可能な腱障害予防のメンテナンス法として指圧の有用性が示された。