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KAS VE TENDON MİMARİSİ İLE MEKANİK ÖZELLİKLERİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN İNCELENMESİ

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 49 - 54, 31.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.52831/kjhs.1632897

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, gastroknemius kasının mimari özellikleri olan lif demeti uzunluğu, pennasyon açısı ve kas kalınlığı ile Aşil tendonunun kalınlığının; Gastroknemius kası ve Aşil tendonun mekanik özellikleri (elastikiyet, sertlik ve tonus) üzerindeki etkilerini incelemekti.
Yöntem: Çalışmaya, kas-iskelet sistemiyle ilgili herhangi bir semptomu olmayan,18-27 yaş aralığında, 63 sağlıklı gönüllü kadın katıldı. Gastroknemius kasının pennasyon açısı, kalınlığı ve lif demeti uzunluğu ile Aşil tendonu kalınlığı, lineer problu (5-12 MHz) bir ultrasonografi cihazı (MicrUs EXT-1H, Telemed Ultrasound Medical Systems, Vilnius, Litvanya) kullanılarak ölçüldü. Medial gastroknemius kası ve Aşil tendonunun mekanik özellikleri, taşınabilir bir miyotonometre (MyotonPRO, Myoton Ltd., Estonya) kullanılarak elastikiyetle ilişkili logaritmik azalma, sertlik göstergesi olan dinamik sertlik ve tonus göstergesi olan salınım frekansı ölçümleri gerçekleştirildi.
Bulgular: Veri analizinde, gastroknemius kasının lif demeti uzunluğu, pennasyon açısı ve kalınlığı ile mekanik özellikleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmadı (p>.05). Benzer şekilde, Aşil tendonu kalınlığı ile tendonun mekanik özellikleri arasında da anlamlı bir ilişki olmadığı gözlendi (p>.05). Ancak, Aşil tendonunun dinamik sertliği; vücut kitle indeksi (r=.364, p=.003), gastroknemius kas kalınlığı (r=.278, p=.032), pennasyon açısı (r=.285, p=.023) ve subkutan yağ kalınlığı (r=.328, p=.009) ile orta düzeyde pozitif korelasyon gösterdi.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, kas ve tendon mimarisine ait parametrelerin bu yapıların mekanik özellikleri üzerinde doğrudan belirleyici olmadığını göstermiştir. Ancak yüksek vücut kitle indeksi, artmış gastroknemius kas kalınlığı ve büyük pennasyon açısı gibi faktörlerin, tendon üzerine binen mekanik yükü artırarak Aşil tendonunun sertliğini artırabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır. Bu bulgular, kas ve tendonun mekanik özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesinde yalnızca yapısal-morfolojik ölçütlerin değil, bireyin genel vücut yapısını yansıtan antropometrik özelliklerin de dikkatle göz önünde bulundurulması gerektiğini göstermektedir.

References

  • Stanev D, Moustakas K. Stiffness modulation of redundant musculoskeletal systems. J Biomech. 2019;85:101-107.
  • Ganguly J, Kulshreshtha D, Almotiri M, Jog M. Muscle tone physiology and abnormalities. Toxins (Basel). 2021;13(4):282.
  • Gervasi M, Sisti D, Amatori S, et al., Muscular viscoelastic characteristics of athletes participating in the European Master Indoor Athletics Championship. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(8):1739-1746.
  • Masi AT, Hannon JC. Human resting muscle tone (HRMT): narrative introduction and modern concepts. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12(4):320-332.
  • Bojsen-Møller J, Magnusson SP, Rasmussen LR, Kjaer M, Aagaard P. Muscle performance during maximal isometric and dynamic contractions is influenced by the stiffness of the tendinous structures. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005;99(3):986-994.
  • Monte A, Zignoli A. Muscle and tendon stiffness and belly gearing positively correlate with rate of torque development during explosive fixed end contractions. J Biomech. 2021;114:110110.
  • Taş S, Bek N. Effects of morphological and mechanical properties of plantar fascia and heel pad on balance performance in asymptomatic females. Foot (Edinb). 2018;36:30-34.
  • Morgan G, Martin R, Welch H, Williams L, Morris K. Objective assessment of stiffness in the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with symptomatic Achilles tendons. BMJ Open Sp Ex Med. 2019;5(1):e000622.
  • Yoshida K, Itoigawa Y, Maruyama Y, Kaneko K. Healing process of gastrocnemius muscle ınjury on ultrasonography using b-mode ımaging, power doppler ımaging, and shear wave elastography. J Ultrasound Med. 2019;38(12):3239-3246.
  • Taş S, Salkın Y. An investigation of the sex-related differences in the stiffness of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius muscle: Inter-observer reliability and inter-day repeatability and the effect of ankle joint motion. Foot (Edinb). 2019;41:44-50.
  • Ikezoe T, Asakawa Y, Fukumoto Y, Tsukagoshi R, Ichihashi N. Associations of muscle stiffness and thickness with muscle strength and muscle power in elderly women. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2012;12(1):86-92.
  • Do Y, Lall PS, Lee H. Assessing the effects of aging on muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography and myotonometer. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(12):1733.
  • Torgutalp ŞŞ, Babayeva N, Taş S, Dönmez G, Korkusuz F. Effects of hyperlipidemia on patellar tendon stiffness: A shear wave elastography study. Clin Biomech. 2020;75:104998.
  • Chino K, Ohya T, Kato E, Suzuki Y. Muscle thickness and passive muscle stiffness in elite athletes: ımplications of the effect of long-term daily training on skeletal muscle. Int J Sports Med. 2018:39(3):218-224.
  • Agyapong-Badu S, Warner M, Samuel D, Stokes M. Measurement of ageing effects on muscle tone and mechanical properties of rectus femoris and biceps brachii in healthy males and females using a novel hand-held myometric device. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2016;62:59-67.
  • Browner WS, Newman TB, Cummings SR, Grady DG. Designing clinical research. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2022.
  • Dag F, Tas S, Cimen OB. Hand-grip strength is correlated with aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary young females. Montenegrin J. Sports Sci. Med. 2021;10(1):55-60.
  • Gapeyeva H, Vain A. Methodical guide: principles of applying Myoton in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Tartu, Estonia: Müomeetria Ltd;2008.
  • Schneebeli A, Falla D, Clijsen R, Barbero M, Myotonometry for the evaluation of Achilles tendon mechanical properties: a reliability and construct validity study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):e000726.
  • Taş S,Yaşar Ü, Kaynak BA. Interrater and intrarater reliability of a handheld myotonometer in measuring mechanical properties of the neck and orofacial muscles. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2021;44(1):42-48.
  • Hirata K, Kanehisa H, Miyamoto N. Acute effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the human gastrocnemius fascicle measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(3):493-499.
  • Taş S, Aktaş D. Menstrual cycle does not affect the mechanical properties of muscle and tendon. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2020;10(1):11-16.
  • Bohm S, Marzilger R, Mersmann F, Santuz A, Arampatzis A. Operating length and velocity of human vastus lateralis muscle during walking and running. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):5066.
  • Baroni BM, Geremia JM, Rodrigues R, Franke RDA, Karamanidis K, Vaz MA. Muscle architecture adaptations to knee extensor eccentric training: rectus femoris vs. vastus lateralis. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(4):498-506.
  • Potier, T.G., Alexander CM, Seynnes OR. Effects of eccentric strength training on biceps femoris muscle architecture and knee joint range of movement. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009;105(6):939-944.
  • Strasser EM, Draskovits T, Praschak M, Quittan M, Graf A. Association between ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness, pennation angle, echogenicity and skeletal muscle strength in the elderly. Age (Dordr). 2013;35(6):2377-2388.
  • Wang, J, Hu Y, Tian G. Ultrasound measurements of gastrocnemius muscle thickness in older people with sarcopenia. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:2193-2199.
  • Paris MT, Letofsky N, Mourtzakis M. Site-specific skeletal muscle echo intensity and thickness differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue matched older and younger adults. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2021;41(2):156-164.
  • Bravo-Sánchez A, Abián P, Jimenez F, Abian-Vicen J. Structural and mechanical properties of the achilles tendon in senior badminton players: Operated vs. non-injured tendons. Clin Biomech. 2021;85:105366.
  • Cruz-Torres B, Barrera-García-Martín I, Cueva-Reguera M, Bravo-Aguilar M, Abuin-Porras V, Romelo-Morales C. Ultrasound imaging features of the Achilles tendon in dancers. Is there a correlation between the imaging and clinical findings? A cross-sectional study. Phys Ther Sport. 2020;43:181-187.
  • Lieber RL, Fridén J. Functional and clinical significance of skeletal muscle architecture. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23(11):1647-1666.
  • Brown SHM, Gerling ME. Importance of sarcomere length when determining muscle physiological cross-sectional area: a spine example. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2012;226(5):384-388.
  • Alfuraih AM, Alhowimel A, Alghanim S, Khayat Y, Aljamaan A, Alsobayel HI. The association between tensiomyography and elastography stiffness measurements in lower limb skeletal muscles. Sensors (Basel). 2022;22(3):1206.
  • Heinemeier KM, Kjaer M. In vivo investigation of tendon responses to mechanical loading. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2011;11(2):115-123.
  • Abate M, Silbernagel KG, Siljeholm C, et al. Pathogenesis of tendinopathies: inflammation or degeneration? Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(3):235.
  • Tomlinson DJ, Erskine RM, Morse CI, Pappachan JM, Sanderson-Gillard E, Onambele-Pearson GL. The combined effects of obesity and ageing on skeletal muscle function and tendon properties in vivo in men. Endocrine. 2021;72(2):411-422.
  • Taş S, Yılmaz S, Onur MR, Soylu AR, Altuntaş O, Korkusuz F. Patellar tendon mechanical properties change with gender, body mass index and quadriceps femoris muscle strength. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2017;51(1):54-59.
  • Al-Qahtani M, Al-Tayyar S, Mirza EH, Al-Musallam A, Al-Suwayyid A, Javed R. Body mass ındex and segmental mass correlation with elastographic strain ratios of the quadriceps tendon. J Ultrasound Med. 2019;38(8):2005-2013.
  • Freilich RJ, Kirsner RL, Byrne E. Isometric strength and thickness relationships in human quadriceps muscle. Neuromuscul Disord. 1995;5(5):415-422.
  • Kubo K, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T. Gender differences in the viscoelastic properties of tendon structures. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;88(6):520-526.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSCLE AND TENDON ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 49 - 54, 31.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.52831/kjhs.1632897

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the architectural features of the gastrocnemius muscle-namely fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness-and Achilles tendon thickness on the mechanical properties (elasticity, stiffness, and tone) of both the gastrocnemius muscle and the Achilles tendon.
Method: Sixty-three healthy female volunteers aged 18-27 years without musculoskeletal symptoms participated in the study. The pennation angle, thickness, and fascicle length of the gastrocnemius muscle and the thickness of the Achilles tendon were measured using an ultrasonography device with a linear probe (5-12 MHz) (MicrUs EXT-1H, Telemed Ultrasound Medical Systems, Vilnius, Lithuania). A portable myotonometer (MyotonPRO, Myoton Ltd., Tallinn, Estonia) was used to assess the mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon, including logarithmic decrement (elasticity), dynamic stiffness (stiffness), and oscillation frequency (tone).
Results: Data analysis revealed no significant relationships between fascicle length, pennation angle, or muscle thickness of the gastrocnemius and its mechanical properties (p>.05). Similarly, no significant associations were not found between Achilles tendon thickness and its mechanical characteristics (p>.05). However, the dynamic stiffness of the Achilles tendon showed a moderate positive correlation with body mass index (r=.364, p =.003), gastrocnemius thickness (r=.278, p=.032), pennation angle (r=.285, p=.023), and subcutaneous fat thickness (r=.328, p=.009).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that muscle and tendon architecture does not directly determine their mechanical properties. However, higher body mass index, increased muscle thickness, and greater pennation angle may elevate the mechanical load on the tendon, potentially increasing Achilles tendon stiffness. These findings highlight the importance of considering anthropometric characteristics in addition to structural parameters when evaluating tendon and muscle mechanical properties.

References

  • Stanev D, Moustakas K. Stiffness modulation of redundant musculoskeletal systems. J Biomech. 2019;85:101-107.
  • Ganguly J, Kulshreshtha D, Almotiri M, Jog M. Muscle tone physiology and abnormalities. Toxins (Basel). 2021;13(4):282.
  • Gervasi M, Sisti D, Amatori S, et al., Muscular viscoelastic characteristics of athletes participating in the European Master Indoor Athletics Championship. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(8):1739-1746.
  • Masi AT, Hannon JC. Human resting muscle tone (HRMT): narrative introduction and modern concepts. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12(4):320-332.
  • Bojsen-Møller J, Magnusson SP, Rasmussen LR, Kjaer M, Aagaard P. Muscle performance during maximal isometric and dynamic contractions is influenced by the stiffness of the tendinous structures. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005;99(3):986-994.
  • Monte A, Zignoli A. Muscle and tendon stiffness and belly gearing positively correlate with rate of torque development during explosive fixed end contractions. J Biomech. 2021;114:110110.
  • Taş S, Bek N. Effects of morphological and mechanical properties of plantar fascia and heel pad on balance performance in asymptomatic females. Foot (Edinb). 2018;36:30-34.
  • Morgan G, Martin R, Welch H, Williams L, Morris K. Objective assessment of stiffness in the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with symptomatic Achilles tendons. BMJ Open Sp Ex Med. 2019;5(1):e000622.
  • Yoshida K, Itoigawa Y, Maruyama Y, Kaneko K. Healing process of gastrocnemius muscle ınjury on ultrasonography using b-mode ımaging, power doppler ımaging, and shear wave elastography. J Ultrasound Med. 2019;38(12):3239-3246.
  • Taş S, Salkın Y. An investigation of the sex-related differences in the stiffness of the Achilles tendon and gastrocnemius muscle: Inter-observer reliability and inter-day repeatability and the effect of ankle joint motion. Foot (Edinb). 2019;41:44-50.
  • Ikezoe T, Asakawa Y, Fukumoto Y, Tsukagoshi R, Ichihashi N. Associations of muscle stiffness and thickness with muscle strength and muscle power in elderly women. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2012;12(1):86-92.
  • Do Y, Lall PS, Lee H. Assessing the effects of aging on muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography and myotonometer. Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(12):1733.
  • Torgutalp ŞŞ, Babayeva N, Taş S, Dönmez G, Korkusuz F. Effects of hyperlipidemia on patellar tendon stiffness: A shear wave elastography study. Clin Biomech. 2020;75:104998.
  • Chino K, Ohya T, Kato E, Suzuki Y. Muscle thickness and passive muscle stiffness in elite athletes: ımplications of the effect of long-term daily training on skeletal muscle. Int J Sports Med. 2018:39(3):218-224.
  • Agyapong-Badu S, Warner M, Samuel D, Stokes M. Measurement of ageing effects on muscle tone and mechanical properties of rectus femoris and biceps brachii in healthy males and females using a novel hand-held myometric device. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2016;62:59-67.
  • Browner WS, Newman TB, Cummings SR, Grady DG. Designing clinical research. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2022.
  • Dag F, Tas S, Cimen OB. Hand-grip strength is correlated with aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary young females. Montenegrin J. Sports Sci. Med. 2021;10(1):55-60.
  • Gapeyeva H, Vain A. Methodical guide: principles of applying Myoton in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Tartu, Estonia: Müomeetria Ltd;2008.
  • Schneebeli A, Falla D, Clijsen R, Barbero M, Myotonometry for the evaluation of Achilles tendon mechanical properties: a reliability and construct validity study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):e000726.
  • Taş S,Yaşar Ü, Kaynak BA. Interrater and intrarater reliability of a handheld myotonometer in measuring mechanical properties of the neck and orofacial muscles. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2021;44(1):42-48.
  • Hirata K, Kanehisa H, Miyamoto N. Acute effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the human gastrocnemius fascicle measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(3):493-499.
  • Taş S, Aktaş D. Menstrual cycle does not affect the mechanical properties of muscle and tendon. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2020;10(1):11-16.
  • Bohm S, Marzilger R, Mersmann F, Santuz A, Arampatzis A. Operating length and velocity of human vastus lateralis muscle during walking and running. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):5066.
  • Baroni BM, Geremia JM, Rodrigues R, Franke RDA, Karamanidis K, Vaz MA. Muscle architecture adaptations to knee extensor eccentric training: rectus femoris vs. vastus lateralis. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(4):498-506.
  • Potier, T.G., Alexander CM, Seynnes OR. Effects of eccentric strength training on biceps femoris muscle architecture and knee joint range of movement. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009;105(6):939-944.
  • Strasser EM, Draskovits T, Praschak M, Quittan M, Graf A. Association between ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness, pennation angle, echogenicity and skeletal muscle strength in the elderly. Age (Dordr). 2013;35(6):2377-2388.
  • Wang, J, Hu Y, Tian G. Ultrasound measurements of gastrocnemius muscle thickness in older people with sarcopenia. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:2193-2199.
  • Paris MT, Letofsky N, Mourtzakis M. Site-specific skeletal muscle echo intensity and thickness differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue matched older and younger adults. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2021;41(2):156-164.
  • Bravo-Sánchez A, Abián P, Jimenez F, Abian-Vicen J. Structural and mechanical properties of the achilles tendon in senior badminton players: Operated vs. non-injured tendons. Clin Biomech. 2021;85:105366.
  • Cruz-Torres B, Barrera-García-Martín I, Cueva-Reguera M, Bravo-Aguilar M, Abuin-Porras V, Romelo-Morales C. Ultrasound imaging features of the Achilles tendon in dancers. Is there a correlation between the imaging and clinical findings? A cross-sectional study. Phys Ther Sport. 2020;43:181-187.
  • Lieber RL, Fridén J. Functional and clinical significance of skeletal muscle architecture. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23(11):1647-1666.
  • Brown SHM, Gerling ME. Importance of sarcomere length when determining muscle physiological cross-sectional area: a spine example. Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2012;226(5):384-388.
  • Alfuraih AM, Alhowimel A, Alghanim S, Khayat Y, Aljamaan A, Alsobayel HI. The association between tensiomyography and elastography stiffness measurements in lower limb skeletal muscles. Sensors (Basel). 2022;22(3):1206.
  • Heinemeier KM, Kjaer M. In vivo investigation of tendon responses to mechanical loading. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2011;11(2):115-123.
  • Abate M, Silbernagel KG, Siljeholm C, et al. Pathogenesis of tendinopathies: inflammation or degeneration? Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(3):235.
  • Tomlinson DJ, Erskine RM, Morse CI, Pappachan JM, Sanderson-Gillard E, Onambele-Pearson GL. The combined effects of obesity and ageing on skeletal muscle function and tendon properties in vivo in men. Endocrine. 2021;72(2):411-422.
  • Taş S, Yılmaz S, Onur MR, Soylu AR, Altuntaş O, Korkusuz F. Patellar tendon mechanical properties change with gender, body mass index and quadriceps femoris muscle strength. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2017;51(1):54-59.
  • Al-Qahtani M, Al-Tayyar S, Mirza EH, Al-Musallam A, Al-Suwayyid A, Javed R. Body mass ındex and segmental mass correlation with elastographic strain ratios of the quadriceps tendon. J Ultrasound Med. 2019;38(8):2005-2013.
  • Freilich RJ, Kirsner RL, Byrne E. Isometric strength and thickness relationships in human quadriceps muscle. Neuromuscul Disord. 1995;5(5):415-422.
  • Kubo K, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T. Gender differences in the viscoelastic properties of tendon structures. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;88(6):520-526.
There are 40 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Biomechanics in Sports Science
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Serkan Taş 0000-0001-8268-5485

Özlem Nur Tok Yaman 0000-0002-8496-1698

Ayşe Nihal Yurttaş 0000-0002-0069-6525

Arda Aktaş 0000-0002-2503-8027

Tahir Fatih Dikici 0000-0001-7481-3045

Publication Date August 31, 2025
Submission Date February 4, 2025
Acceptance Date April 20, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 6 Issue: 2

Cite

Vancouver Taş S, Tok Yaman ÖN, Yurttaş AN, Aktaş A, Dikici TF. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSCLE AND TENDON ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES. Karya J Health Sci. 2025;6(2):49-54.