Effects of knee joint position on the triceps Suræ torque-size relationship during plantarflexion in healthy young adults

Abstract

We determined the effects of knee joint position on the relationship between maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) isometric plantar flexor torque and architectural properties of the plantar flexors measured at rest in healthy young adults. We obtained 3-D reconstructed muscle architecture data of the right plantar flexor muscles of nine physically active males using T1 and DTI MRI sequences with the knee in ∼5° flexion and at rest. Muscle volume, fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross-sectional area were estimated for the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and the soleus muscle. MVC isometric plantar flexor torque was assessed on a dynamometer with the knee flexed and extended. MVC isometric plantar flexor torque was 59 % lower when performed with the knee flexed (93.1 ± 22.3 N∙m) vs. extended (154.4 ± 37.8 N∙m). Medial (r = 0.70, p = 0.026) and lateral gastrocnemius (r = 0.49, p = 0.048), total soleus (r = 0.79, p = 0.01), and total triceps suræ muscle volume (r = 0.77, p = 0.012) correlated with MVC isometric plantarflexion torque produced with the knee extended. However, only total soleus (r = 0.64, p = 0.028) and triceps suræ volume (r = 0.64, p = 0.031) correlated with MVC isometric plantar flexor torque produced with the knee flexed. Only the total soleus (r = 0.66, p = 0.038) and triceps suræ physiological cross-sectional area (r = 0.55, p = 0.049) correlated with MVC isometric plantar flexor torque performed with knee extended. The data suggest that knee joint position affects torque-size relationship in the gastrocnemius muscles. Additionally, it appears that the total soleus and triceps suræ muscle volumes association with MVC isometric plantar flexor torque is larger than the total physiological cross-sectional area of the triceps suræ. In conclusion, the data suggest that knee joint position affects torque-size relationship in the gastrocnemii but not in the soleus muscle.