Automatic detection method of muscle fiber movement as revealed by ultrasound images.

The objective of this study was to develop a method of muscle structure measurement based on the automatic analysis of muscle fibers, proximal fascias, and distal aponeurosis movements as revealed by a time-series of ultrasound images. This method was designed to detect changes in the length of muscle fiber movements, and its validity was demonstrated in a time-series of muscle movement, slow ankle dorsiflexion (10 degrees/s), by comparison to manual measurement. The results showed that, when this method was used, the changes in the length of the muscle fiber under slow muscle movement were smaller than those in manual operations by novice individuals.