Musculotendinous stiffness and muscle function

Musculotendinous stiffness or elasticity is difficult to measure in vivo. Therefore, various procedures have been used in an attempt to quantify the contribution of the elastic properties of muscle and tendon to stretch shortening cycle performance. The results are variable, perhaps as a result of the different techniques utilised. Although several studies have suggested an association between a more compliant muscle-tendon complex, and enhanced stretch shortening cycle performance, this interpretation is not conclusive and needs further testing with particular attention being focused on the non-invasive, in vivo measurement of musculotendinous stiffness. Accordingly, the primary goal of this dissertation was to identify the relationship between the mechanical characteristics of the muscle-tendon complex, in particular tendon stiffness, and stretch shortening cycle muscle function.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Human Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Viljoen, Lawrence Wayne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lambert, Mike

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3214

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/3214