Background The passive mechanical properties of skeletal muscletendon units are important because they determine the amount of motion available at joints. Human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units are of particular interest because this muscle is prone to develop contractures, may have a role in lower limb overuse injuries, and is a common site of muscle tears. This workshop provides an introduct...

The purpose of this study was to determine the time course of flow-induced vasodilation in soleus and gastrocnemius muscle arterioles and the mechanisms that underlie vasodilatory responses to an increase in intraluminal flow. Vasodilation was assessed during 20 min of continuous exposure to intraluminal flow. Both soleus and gastrocnemius muscle arterioles dilated in response to flow, although...

Hyperthermia (targeted core temperature: 38.5°C) reduces the time between gastrocnemius medialis stimulation and onset of plantar flexor force production in vivo. This reduction electromechanical delay is concomitant to an earlier motion muscle fascicle compared with thermoneutral environment. However, hyperthermia has no impact on duration transmission along aponeurosis tendon, thereby reflect...

Background The position of the gastrocnemius tendon in relation to the leg length may be different in children with cerebral palsy as compared to normal children. The palpation of muscle bellies or previous experience of the operating surgeon is employed to place the surgical incision for lengthening of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis. Inaccurate localisation may cause incorrect incisions and a r...

Purpose To study the location of the junction point where the gastrocnemius aponeurosis joins the soleus aponeurosis to form the Achilles tendon. Methods Twelve lower limb specimens were used. The distance between the medial tibial plateau and the superior border of the posterior calcaneal tubercle (A) was measured and the distances of the junction point to the superior border of the posterio...

The influence of ribose supplementation on skeletal muscle adenine salvage rates during recovery from intense contractions and subsequent muscle performance was evaluated using an adult rat perfused hindquarter preparation. Three minutes of tetanic contractions (60 tetani/min) decreased ATP content in the calf muscles by approximately 50% and produced an equimolar increase in IMP. Effective rec...

After oncological tumor resections at the back, large defects can remain that depending on the size and location may represent reconstructive challenges to plastic surgeons. Flap selection includes the entire armamentarium of coverage, including transposition flaps, perforator flaps, pedicled muscle flaps, and free flaps. Most defects can be closed and reconstructed with local or pedicled muscl...