@article{QuittmannMeskemperAbeletal.2018,
  author    = {Quittmann, Oliver J. and Meskemper, Joshua and Abel, Thomas and Albracht, Kirsten and Foitschik, Tina and Rojas-Vega, Sandra and Str{\"u}der, Heiko K.},
  title     = {Kinematics and kinetics of handcycling propulsion at increasing workloads in able-bodied subjects},
  series = {Sports Engineereing},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {Sports Engineereing},
  number    = {21},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  address   = {Cham},
  issn      = {1460-2687},
  doi       = {10.1007/s12283-018-0269-y},
  pages     = {283 -- 294},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {In Paralympic sports, biomechanical optimisation of movements and equipment seems to be promising for improving performance. In handcycling, information about the biomechanics of this sport is mainly provided by case studies. The aim of the current study was (1) to examine changes in handcycling propulsion kinematics and kinetics due to increasing workloads and (2) identify parameters that are associated with peak aerobic performance. Twelve non-disabled male competitive triathletes without handcycling experience voluntarily participated in the study. They performed an initial familiarisation protocol and incremental step test until exhaustion in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the incremental test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics, blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion (local and global) were identified. As a performance criterion, the maximal power output during the step test (Pmax) was calculated and correlated with biomechanical parameters. For higher workloads, an increase in crank torque was observed that was even more pronounced in the pull phase than in the push phase. Furthermore, participants showed an increase in shoulder internal rotation and abduction and a decrease in elbow flexion and retroversion. These changes were negatively correlated with performance. At high workloads, it seems that power output is more limited by the transition from pull to push phase than at low workloads. It is suggested that successful athletes demonstrate small alterations of their kinematic profile due to increasing workloads. Future studies should replicate and expand the test spectrum (sprint and continuous loads) as well as use methods like surface electromyography (sEMG) with elite handcyclists.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{AlbrachtArampatzis2006,
  author    = {Albracht, Kirsten and Arampatzis, Adamantios},
  title     = {Influence of the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit on force generation in runners with different running economy},
  series = {Biological Cybernetics},
  volume    = {95},
  journal   = {Biological Cybernetics},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1432-0770},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00422-006-0070-z},
  pages     = {87 -- 96},
  year      = {2006},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeinkeKnickerAlbracht2020,
  author    = {Heinke, Lars N. and Knicker, Axel J. and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Increased shoulder muscle stretch reflex elicitability in supine subject posture},
  series = {Isokinetics and Exercise Science},
  volume    = {28},
  journal   = {Isokinetics and Exercise Science},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1878-5913},
  doi       = {10.3233/IES-192219},
  pages     = {139 -- 146},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {BACKGROUND: Muscle stretch reflexes are widely used to examine neural muscle function. The knowledge of reflex response in muscles crossing the shoulder is limited. OBJECTIVE: To quantify reflex modulation according to various subject postures and different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering. METHODS: Thirteen healthy male participants performed two sets of external shoulder rotation stretches in various positions and with different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering on an isokinetic dynamometer over a range of two different pre-activation levels. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 104∘/s2 and a velocity of 150∘/s. Electromyographical response was measured via sEMG. RESULTS: Consistent reflexive response was observed in all tested muscles in all experimental conditions. The reflex elicitation rate revealed a significant muscle main effect (F (5,288) = 2.358, ρ= 0.040; η2= 0.039; f= 0.637) and a significant test condition main effect (F (1,288) = 5.884, ρ= 0.016; η2= 0.020; f= 0.143). Reflex latency revealed a significant muscle pre-activation level main effect (F (1,274) = 5.008, ρ= 0.026; η2= 0.018; f= 0.469). CONCLUSION: Muscular reflexive response was more consistent in the primary internal rotators of the shoulder. Supine posture in combination with visual feedback of muscle pre-activation level enhanced the reflex elicitation rate.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RichterBraunsteinStaeudleetal.2021,
  author    = {Richter, Charlotte and Braunstein, Bjoern and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Attias, Julia and Suess, Alexander and Weber, Tobias and Mileva, Katja N. and Rittweger, Joern and Green, David A. and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior is preserved during 30\% body weight supported gait training},
  series = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living},
  volume    = {2021},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Frontiers},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {2624-9367},
  doi       = {10.3389/fspor.2020.614559},
  pages     = {Artikel 614559},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Rehabilitative body weight supported gait training aims at restoring walking function as a key element in activities of daily living. Studies demonstrated reductions in muscle and joint forces, while kinematic gait patterns appear to be preserved with up to 30\% weight support. However, the influence of body weight support on muscle architecture, with respect to fascicle and series elastic element behavior is unknown, despite this having potential clinical implications for gait retraining. Eight males (31.9 ± 4.7 years) walked at 75\% of the speed at which they typically transition to running, with 0\% and 30\% body weight support on a lower-body positive pressure treadmill. Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle lengths and pennation angles were measured via ultrasonography. Additionally, joint kinematics were analyzed to determine gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon unit lengths, consisting of the muscle's contractile and series elastic elements. Series elastic element length was assessed using a muscle-tendon unit model. Depending on whether data were normally distributed, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine if body weight supported walking had any effects on joint kinematics and fascicle-series elastic element behavior. Walking with 30\% body weight support had no statistically significant effect on joint kinematics and peak series elastic element length. Furthermore, at the time when peak series elastic element length was achieved, and on average across the entire stance phase, muscle-tendon unit length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and fascicle velocity were unchanged with respect to body weight support. In accordance with unchanged gait kinematics, preservation of fascicle-series elastic element behavior was observed during walking with 30\% body weight support, which suggests transferability of gait patterns to subsequent unsupported walking.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RichterBraunsteinStaeudleetal.2021,
  author    = {Richter, Charlotte and Braunstein, Bj{\"o}rn and St{\"a}udle, Benjamin and Attias, Julia and S{\"u}ss, Alexander and Weber, Tobias and Mileva, Katya N. and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn and Green, David A. and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running differs between simulated Lunar and Martian gravities},
  series = {Scientific reports},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Scientific reports},
  number    = {Article number: 22555},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2045-2322},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-021-00527-9},
  pages     = {13 Seiten},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The international partnership of space agencies has agreed to proceed forward to the Moon sustainably. Activities on the Lunar surface (0.16 g) will allow crewmembers to advance the exploration skills needed when expanding human presence to Mars (0.38 g). Whilst data from actual hypogravity activities are limited to the Apollo missions, simulation studies have indicated that ground reaction forces, mechanical work, muscle activation, and joint angles decrease with declining gravity level. However, these alterations in locomotion biomechanics do not necessarily scale to the gravity level, the reduction in gastrocnemius medialis activation even appears to level off around 0.2 g, while muscle activation pattern remains similar. Thus, it is difficult to predict whether gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running on Moon will basically be the same as on Mars. Therefore, this study investigated lower limb joint kinematics and gastrocnemius medialis behavior during running at 1 g, simulated Martian gravity, and simulated Lunar gravity on the vertical treadmill facility. The results indicate that hypogravity-induced alterations in joint kinematics and contractile behavior still persist between simulated running on the Moon and Mars. This contrasts with the concept of a ceiling effect and should be carefully considered when evaluating exercise prescriptions and the transferability of locomotion practiced in Lunar gravity to Martian gravity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AlbrachtArampatzis2013,
  author    = {Albracht, Kirsten and Arampatzis, Adamantios},
  title     = {Exercise-induced changes in triceps surae tendon stiffness and muscle strength affect running economy in humans},
  series = {European Journal of Applied Physiology},
  volume    = {113},
  journal   = {European Journal of Applied Physiology},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Berlin},
  issn      = {1439-6327},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00421-012-2585-4},
  pages     = {1605 -- 1615},
  year      = {2013},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeinkeKnickerAlbracht2018,
  author    = {Heinke, Lars N. and Knicker, Axel J. and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Evaluation of passively induced shoulder stretch reflex using an isokinetic dynamometer in male overhead athletes},
  series = {Isokinetics and Exercise Science},
  volume    = {26},
  journal   = {Isokinetics and Exercise Science},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1878-5913},
  doi       = {10.3233/IES-184111},
  pages     = {265 -- 274},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {BACKGROUND: Muscle stretch reflexes are widely considered to beneficially influence joint stability and power generation in the lower limbs. While in the upper limbs and especially in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint such evidence is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the electromyographical response in the muscles crossing the shoulder of specifically trained overhead athletes to an anterior perturbation force. METHODS: Twenty healthy male participants performed six sets of different external shoulder rotation stretches on an isokinetic dynamometer over a range of amplitudes and muscle pre-activation moment levels. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 10,000∘/s2 and a velocity of 150∘/s. Electromyographical response was measured via sEMG. RESULTS: Consistent reflexes were not observed in all experimental conditions. The reflex latencies revealed a significant muscle main effect (F (2,228) = 99.31, p< 0.001; η2= 0.466; f= 0.934) and a pre-activation main effect (F (1,228) = 142.21, p< 0.001; η2= 0.384; f= 1.418). The stretch reflex amplitude yielded a significant pre-activation main effect (F (1,222) = 470.373, p< 0.001; η2= 0.679; f= 1.454). CONCLUSION: Short latency muscle reflexes showed a tendency to an anterior to posterior muscle recruitment whereby the main internal rotator muscles of the shoulder revealed the most consistent results.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KolditzAlbinAbeletal.2016,
  author    = {Kolditz, Melanie and Albin, Thivaharan and Abel, Dirk and Fasse, Alessandro and Br{\"u}ggemann, Gert-Peter and Albracht, Kirsten},
  title     = {Evaluation of foot position and orientation as manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments in leg extension training},
  series = {Computer methods and programs in biomedicine},
  volume    = {171},
  journal   = {Computer methods and programs in biomedicine},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {0169-2607},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.cmpb.2016.09.005},
  pages     = {81 -- 86},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background and Objective Effective leg extension training at a leg press requires high forces, which need to be controlled to avoid training-induced damage. In order to avoid high external knee adduction moments, which are one reason for unphysiological loadings on knee joint structures, both training movements and the whole reaction force vector need to be observed. In this study, the applicability of lateral and medial changes in foot orientation and position as possible manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments is investigated. As secondary parameters both the medio-lateral position of the center of pressure and the frontal-plane orientation of the reaction force vector are analyzed. Methods Knee adduction moments are estimated using a dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system together with the measured reaction force vector and the motion of the subject by solving the inverse kinematic and dynamic problem. Six different foot conditions with varying positions and orientations of the foot in a static leg press are evaluated and compared to a neutral foot position. Results Both lateral and medial wedges under the foot and medial and lateral shifts of the foot can influence external knee adduction moments in the presented study with six healthy subjects. Different effects are observed with the varying conditions: the pose of the leg is changed and the direction and center of pressure of the reaction force vector is influenced. Each effect results in a different direction or center of pressure of the reaction force vector. Conclusions The results allow the conclusion that foot position and orientation can be used as manipulated variables in a control loop to actively control knee adduction moments in leg extension training.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WerkhausenAlbrachtCroninetal.2018,
  author    = {Werkhausen, Amelie and Albracht, Kirsten and Cronin, Neil J and Paulsen, G{\o}ran and Bojsen-M{\o}ller, Jens and Seynnes, Olivier R},
  title     = {Effect of training-induced changes in achilles tendon stiffness on muscle-tendon behavior during landing},
  series = {Frontiers in physiology},
  journal   = {Frontiers in physiology},
  number    = {9},
  publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1664-042X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fphys.2018.00794},
  pages     = {11 Seiten},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {During rapid deceleration of the body, tendons buffer part of the elongation of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU), enabling safe energy dissipation via eccentric muscle contraction. Yet, the influence of changes in tendon stiffness within the physiological range upon these lengthening contractions is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of training-induced stiffening of the Achilles tendon on triceps surae muscle-tendon behavior during a landing task. Twenty-one male subjects were assigned to either a 10-week resistance-training program consisting of single-leg isometric plantarflexion (n = 11) or to a non-training control group (n = 10). Before and after the training period, plantarflexion force, peak Achilles tendon strain and stiffness were measured during isometric contractions, using a combination of dynamometry, ultrasound and kinematics data. Additionally, testing included a step-landing task, during which joint mechanics and lengths of gastrocnemius and soleus fascicles, Achilles tendon, and MTU were determined using synchronized ultrasound, kinematics and kinetics data collection. After training, plantarflexion strength and Achilles tendon stiffness increased (15 and 18\%, respectively), and tendon strain during landing remained similar. Likewise, lengthening and negative work produced by the gastrocnemius MTU did not change detectably. However, in the training group, gastrocnemius fascicle length was offset (8\%) to a longer length at touch down and, surprisingly, fascicle lengthening and velocity were reduced by 27 and 21\%, respectively. These changes were not observed for soleus fascicles when accounting for variation in task execution between tests. These results indicate that a training-induced increase in tendon stiffness does not noticeably affect the buffering action of the tendon when the MTU is rapidly stretched. Reductions in gastrocnemius fascicle lengthening and lengthening velocity during landing occurred independently from tendon strain. Future studies are required to provide insight into the mechanisms underpinning these observations and their influence on energy dissipation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WerkhausenCroninAlbrachtetal.2019,
  author    = {Werkhausen, Amelie and Cronin, Neil J. and Albracht, Kirsten and Bojsen-M{\o}ller, Jens and Seynnes, Olivier R.},
  title     = {Distinct muscle-tendon interaction during running at different speeds and in different loading conditions},
  series = {Journal of Applied Physiology},
  volume    = {127},
  journal   = {Journal of Applied Physiology},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1522-1601},
  doi       = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00710.2018},
  pages     = {246 -- 253},
  year      = {2019},
  language  = {en}
}