Importance of Maximal Strength and Muscle-Tendon Mechanics for Improving Force Steadiness in Persons with Parkinson's Disease

Although plantar flexion force steadiness (FS) is reduced in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), the underlying causes are unknown. The aim of this exploratory design study was to ascertain the influence of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force and gastrocnemius-Achilles muscle-tendon unit behaviour on FS in persons with PD. Nine persons with PD and nine age- and sex-matched non-PD controls (~70 years, 6 females per group) performed plantar flexion MVCs and sub-maximal tracking tasks at 5, 10, 25, 50 and 75% MVC. Achilles tendon elongation and medial gastrocnemius fascicle lengths were recorded via ultrasound during contraction. FS was quantified using the coefficient of variation (CV) of force. Contributions of MVC and tendon mechanics to FS were determined using multiple regression analyses. Persons with PD were 35% weaker during MVC (p = 0.04) and had 97% greater CV (p = 0.01) with 47% less fascicle shortening (p = 0.004) and 38% less tendon elongation (p = 0.002) than controls. Reduced strength was a direct contributor to lower FS in PD (ß = 0.631), and an indirect factor through limiting optimal muscle-tendon unit interaction. Interestingly, our findings indicate an uncoupling between fascicle shortening and tendon elongation in persons with PD. To better understand limitations in FS and muscle-tendon unit behavior, it is imperative to identify the origins of MVC decrements in persons with PD.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:10

Enthalten in:

Brain sciences - 10(2020), 8 vom: 22. Juli

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Smart, Rowan R [VerfasserIn]
Richardson, Cydney M [VerfasserIn]
Wile, Daryl J [VerfasserIn]
Dalton, Brian H [VerfasserIn]
Jakobi, Jennifer M [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Achilles tendon
Journal Article
Medial gastrocnemius
Muscle fascicle
Ultrasound

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 28.09.2020

published: Electronic

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.3390/brainsci10080471

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM312839863