Assessment and modelling of the activation-dependent shift in optimal length of the human soleus muscle in vivo.

Previous in vitro and in situ studies have reported a shift in optimal muscle fibre length for force generation (L) towards longer length at decreasing activation levels (also referred to as length-dependent activation), yet the relevance for in vivo human muscle contractions with a variable activation pattern remains largely unclear. By a combination of dynamometry, ultrasound and electromyography (EMG), we experimentally obtained muscle force-fascicle length curves of the human soleus at 100%, 60% and 30% EMG levels from 15 participants aiming to investigate activation-dependent shifts in L in vivo. The results showed a significant increase in L of 6.5 ± 6.0% from 100% to 60% EMG and of 9.1 ± 7.2% from 100% to 30% EMG (both P < 0.001), respectively, providing evidence of a moderate in vivo activation dependence of the soleus force-length relationship. Based on the experimental results, an approximation model of an activation-dependent force-length relationship was defined for each individual separately and for the collective data of all participants, both with sufficiently high accuracy (R of 0.899 ± 0.056 and R = 0.858). This individual approximation approach and the general approximation model outcome are freely accessible and may be used to integrate activation-dependent shifts in L in experimental and musculoskeletal modelling studies to improve muscle force predictions. KEY POINTS: The phenomenon of the activation-dependent shift in optimal muscle fibre length for force generation (length-dependent activation) is poorly understood for human muscle in vivo dynamic contractions. We experimentally observed a moderate shift in optimal fascicle length towards longer length at decreasing electromyographic activity levels for the human soleus muscle in vivo. Based on the experimental results, we developed a freely accessible approximation model that allows the consideration of activation-dependent shifts in optimal length in future experimental and musculoskeletal modelling studies to improve muscle force predictions.