Mechanism and adaptability of human movement performance approached with in vivo measurement of musculotendinous behavior

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24300209
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Physical education
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: KAWAKAMI Yasuo 早稲田大学, スポーツ科学学術院, 教授 (60234027)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): YANAI Toshimasa 早稲田大学, スポーツ科学学術院, 教授 (50387619) ; MIYAMOTO Naokazu 鹿屋体育大学, 体育学部, 准教授 (20420408) ; WAKAHARA Taku 同志社大学, スポーツ健康科学部, 助教 (20508288) ; MITSUKAWA Naotoshi 東洋学園大学, 人間科学部, 専任講師 (60583408)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 生体計測 / 筋腱複合体 / 筋腱相互作用 / 力学的特性 / トレーニング / バイオメカニクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of muscle-tendon unit functions and reveal the mechanisms during human movements through the measurement of biological data. We disclosed dynamics of the muscle-tendon units and their mechanical properties in the lower limb during running by ultrasound apparatus and a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Regarding the phenomenon of post-activation potentiation, the contraction intensity, exercise velocity and intensity of conditioning contraction were found to influence the force-producing capacity of skeletal muscles and movement performances. Furthermore, we found morphological adaptation of the tendinous tissues to muscle hypertrophy by resistance training. This study clarified some important factors of movement performance and the mechanisms of their improvement through in vivo evaluation of the dynamics and adaptability of muscle-tendon units in humans.

Free Research Field

総合領域