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J Appl Physiol (July 5, 2007). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00277.2007
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Submitted on March 9, 2007
Accepted on June 28, 2007

The role of the stretch reflex in the gastrocnemius muscle during human locomotion at various speeds

Masaki Ishikawa1* and Paavo V. Komi2

1 University of Jyvaskyla, Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland
2 Department of Biology of Physical Activ, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: masaki{at}sport.jyu.fi.

In the present study, the fascicle length (Lfa) of the human medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle was monitored to evaluate possible input from the short latency stretch reflex (SLR) during the stance phase of running and to examine its timing at various running speeds. Eight subjects ran at 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 m s-1. The Lfa was measured with the high-speed ultrasound fascicle scanning together with kinematics and myoelectrical activities. The amplitudes and onset latency of SLR activities were determined. During ground contact, the sudden MG fascicle stretch occurred during the early contact at all running speeds. This was followed by the fascicle shortening. The timing of fascicle stretch depended on running speed and type of foot contact. In slower speed conditions (2.0, 3.5, 5 m s-1), the MG fascicle stretch and the corresponding SLR activities occurred during the middle of the braking phase. In fast speed running (6.5 m s-1), however, the MG fascicle stretch occurred later as compared to the lower speed. The corresponding SLR activities occurred significantly later at the end of the braking phase. In addition to the clear demonstration of the different timings of SLR in MG during ground contact of running, the results imply that the role of the MG SLR during the stance phase of running can be different between fast and slow speed running conditions.




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