@article{16079,
  author = {Kwah L. and Bilston L. and Gandevia S. and Hoang P. and Herbert Rob and Diong Joanna and Martin J. and Clarke J. and Harvey L. and Clarke E.},
  title = {Passive mechanical properties of the gastrocnemius after spinal cord injury},
  abstract = {<p>
INTRODUCTION: In this study we compared passive mechanical properties of gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units, muscle fascicles, and tendons in control subjects and people with ankle contractures after spinal cord injury. METHODS: Passive gastrocnemius length-tension curves were derived from passive ankle torque-angle data obtained from 20 spinal cord injured subjects with ankle contractures and 30 control subjects. Ultrasound images of muscle fascicles were used to partition length-tension curves into fascicular and tendinous components. RESULTS: Spinal cord injured subjects had stiffer gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units (stiffness index: 74.8 +/- 27.0 m(-1) ) than control subjects (54.4 +/- 17.7 m(-1) ) (P = 0.004). Muscle-tendon slack lengths, as well as slack lengths and changes in length of fascicles and tendons, were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: People with ankle contractures after spinal cord injury have stiff gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units. It is not clear whether this reflects changes in properties of muscle fascicles or tendons. Muscle Nerve 46: 237-245, 2012.
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},
  year = {2012},
  journal = {Muscle and Nerve},
  volume = {46},
  edition = {2012/07/19},
  number = {2},
  pages = {237-45},
  isbn = {1097-4598 (Electronic)0148-639X (Linking)},
  note = {Diong, Joanna H LHerbert, Robert DHarvey, Lisa AKwah, Li KhimClarke, Jillian LHoang, Phu DMartin, Joshua HClarke, Elizabeth CBilston, Lynne EGandevia, Simon CUnited StatesMuscle Nerve. 2012 Aug;46(2):237-45. doi: 10.1002/mus.23356.},
  language = {eng},
}