Measurement of segmental lumbar spine flexion and extension using ultrasound imaging.

Study Design: Clinical measurement, technical note.

Objectives: To describe a technique to measure interspinous process distance using ultrasound (US) imaging, to assess the reliability of the technique, and to compare the US imaging measurements to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in 3 different positions of the lumbar spine.

Background: Segmental spinal motion has been assessed using various imaging techniques, as well as surgically inserted pins.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness induced by low-load blood flow-restricted exercise.

We performed two experiments to describe the magnitude of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) associated with blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise and to determine the contribution of the concentric (CON) versus eccentric (ECC) actions of BFR exercise on DOMS. In experiment 1, nine subjects performed three sets of unilateral knee extension BFR exercise at 35% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) to failure with a thigh cuff inflated 30% above brachial systolic pressure. Subjects repeated the protocol with the contralateral limb without flow restriction.

Vastus lateralis fascicle length changes during stair ascent and descent.

Study Design: Experimental descriptive laboratory study.

Objectives: To describe the change in fascicle length of the human vastus lateralis (VL) muscle during the stance phase of stair ascent and descent.

Background: Muscle fascicle length changes during lower limb functional activities, such as walking and jumping, do not always coincide with joint angle changes.

Comparison of early phase adaptations for traditional strength and endurance, and low velocity resistance training programs in college-aged women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week (16-17 training sessions) low velocity resistance training program (LV) on various performance measures as compared to a traditional strength (TS) and a traditional muscular endurance (TE) resistance training program. Thirty-four healthy adult females (21.1 +/- 2.

Fascicle length change of the human tibialis anterior and vastus lateralis during walking.

Study Design: A single-group descriptive experimental design.

Objectives: To determine the fascicle length change in the tibialis anterior (TA) and the vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during walking.

Background: The length of the muscle fibers during isometric actions and during dynamic functional activities is affected by the compliance of the tendon and aponeurosis.

The relationship between elbow flexor volume and angular stiffness at the elbow.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a correlation exists between the volume of the elbow flexors and angular stiffness at the elbow, and to determine the contribution of the biceps brachii and the brachialis muscles to angular stiffness. DESIGN: This study is a descriptive, correlational study and presents a graphical model of the passive properties of muscle. BACKGROUND: The correlation between arm volume and angular stiffness has been shown, but the measurement of arm volume was not specific to the structures being strained.