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Short range stiffness elastic limit depends on joint velocity
Erwin de Vlugt1, Stijn van Eesbeek, Patricia Baines
1Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Neuromuscular Control, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands. e.devlugt@tudelft.nl
Journal of Biomechanics
|June 7, 2011
Summary
The wrist joint's elastic limit, where muscle transitions from elastic to viscous behavior, increases with lengthening speed. This suggests a constant cross-bridge breakage time of 30 ms, impacting movement control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Muscles exhibit elastic properties at low strain (short-range stiffness) and viscous behavior at higher strain.
- The transition point, the elastic limit, is theorized to result from cross-bridge filament breakage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the in vivo elastic limit of the wrist joint is influenced by the speed of muscle lengthening.
- To determine the relationship between lengthening speed and the elastic limit in human wrist muscles.
Main Methods:
- Experiments involved imposing brief wrist extension rotations at four different speeds and three voluntary torque levels.
- A servo-controlled electrical motor and a novel identification scheme were used to measure joint angle and torque.
- The elastic limit was quantified from the recorded kinematic and kinetic data.
Main Results:
- The elastic limit of the wrist joint significantly increased linearly with the speed of lengthening.
- This linear relationship indicates a consistent time constant of approximately 30 ms for cross-bridge breakage.
Conclusions:
- Muscle cross-bridge breakage time is a key factor determining the elastic limit.
- The speed-dependent elastic limit has implications for understanding and controlling human movement.
- Further research can explore therapeutic interventions targeting muscle viscoelasticity.
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