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1 Laboratory of Sports Sciences, Joshibi University of Art and Design, Tokyo, Japan
2 School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan
3 Computer & Information Division, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan
4 Department Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: fukashiro{at}idaten.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Behavior of fascicles and tendinous structures of the m. gastrocnemius medialis (MG) was quantitatively examined during human jumping in vivo. Eight male subjects performed maximal-effort counter movement jumping motions (CMJ). Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained using a high-speed camera and a force platform. Behavior of fascicles and tendinous structures was determined using ultrasonography and electromyography. While the muscle-tendon complex (MTC) shortened by only 1.6% during the downward phase of the counter movement, fascicles shortened as much as 10.4%. This shortening of fascicles caused elongation of tendinous structures by 2.2%. Although the MTC remained at almost constant length during the upward-I phase (-250 to -100 ms before toe-off), fascicles shortened by 19.2% of the initial length with an elongation of tendinous structures by 4.4%. The MTC shortened rapidly by 5.3% of the initial length during the upward-II phase (-100 to 0 ms), whereas fascicles shortened slightly during the first half of this phase and contracted in a quasi-isometric manner during the latter half of this phase. These findings implied that elastic energy was stored in tendinous structures throughout the latter half of the downward phase (1.0 J) and upward-I phase (5.6 J), which was thereafter rapidly released during the upward-II phase (3.8 J). It was found that muscle fibres of the MG were not stretched during counter movement, therefore stretch reflex and potentiation of the contractile component of the MG might not contribute to the work enhancement in CMJ. It was suggested that the interaction between fascicles and tendinous structures was essential in a generation of higher joint power during the late push-off phase. This behavior of the MTC of the MG in CMJ was quite similar to what was observed in squat jumping performed without counter movement.
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