CONTEXT A potential variable that could affect rate of temperature elevation with ultrasound is the pressure (mass) that is applied to the transducer head during application. Added pressure could compress the tissue, affecting density and the transmission of ultrasound energy. Little research has been completed to determine the effects of the amount of pressure applied during therapeutic ultras...

The purposes of this study were to determine the dependence of human squat jump performance on the compliance of series elastic elements (SEEs) of the triceps surae (consisting of the soleus and gastrocnemius) and to explain this dependence. Vertical squat jumps were simulated using an optimal control model of the human musculo-skeletal system. Maximum jump height was found for several values o...

We studied expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) in female mice from four replicate lines that had been selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running (S) and from four random-bred control lines (C). Mice from generation 23 were sampled after 6 days of wheel access, and those from generation 14 were sampled after 8 wk of access to wheels either free to rotate or locked. Mice from S lin...

Anecdotal evidence supports the use of Bacrobial skin cleanser for preventing muscle cramps; however, empirical evidence is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether Bacrobial prevents muscle cramping in the triceps surae. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Laboratory. SUBJECTS: Seventeen cramp-prone participants (11 male, 6 female; age 21 ± 2...

BACKGROUND Specific guidelines for therapeutic exercises following an Achilles tendon repair are lacking. HYPOTHESIS A hierarchical progression of triceps surae exercises can be determined on the basis of electromyographic (EMG) activity. STUDY DESIGN Randomized laboratory trial. METHODS Bipolar surface electrodes were applied over the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius as well...

Klass, M., N. Guissard, and J. Duchateau. Limiting mechanisms of force production after repetitive dynamic contractions in human triceps surae. J Appl Physiol 96: 1516–1521, 2004. First published November 7, 2003; 10.1152/japplphysiol.01049.2003.—The influence of repetitive dynamic fatiguing contractions on the neuromuscular characteristics of the human triceps surae was investigated in 10 subj...

BACKGROUND Although equinus is more common in cerebral palsy (CP), the prevalence of calcaneal gait (CG) has been reported at more than 30% among patients with CP, even in the absence of prior surgical intervention. The goal of this study was to identify patient characteristics predictive of the development of CG in patients without prior triceps surae lengthening. METHODS Gait data were revi...

In a standing position, the vertical projection of the center of mass passes in front of the ankle, which requires active plantar-flexor torque from the triceps surae to maintain balance. We recorded motor unit (MU) activity in the medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus (SOL) in standing balance and voluntary isometric contractions to understand the effect of functiona...

Despite an age-related slowing in the contractile properties of the triceps surae, inherently low maximal motor unit firing rates (MUFRs) in the soleus are unchanged. Fatigue following high-intensity contractions is characterized by contractile slowing in conjunction with a reduction in MUFRs in young adults. Here we exploit the ageing model of the soleus to assess changes in neuromuscular func...

BACKGROUND Elastic taping applied on the triceps surae has been commonly used to improve the performance of lower extremities. However, little objective evidence has been documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elastic taping on the triceps surae during a maximal vertical jump. It was hypothesized that elastic taping to the triceps surae would increase muscle acti...