@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{ArampatzisKaramanidisAlbracht2007, author = {Arampatzis, Adamantios and Karamanidis, Kiros and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Adaptational responses of the human Achilles tendon by modulation of the applied cyclic strain magnitude}, series = {Journal of Experimental Biology}, volume = {210}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Biology}, number = {15}, issn = {0022-0949}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.003814}, pages = {2743 -- 2753}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{AlbrachtArampatzisBaltzopoulos2008, author = {Albracht, Kirsten and Arampatzis, A. and Baltzopoulos, V.}, title = {Assessment of muscle volume and physiological cross-sectional area of the human triceps surae muscle in vivo}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {41}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2008.04.020}, pages = {2211 -- 2218}, year = {2008}, language = {en} } @article{ArampatzisKaramanidisMademlietal.2009, author = {Arampatzis, Adamantios and Karamanidis, Kiros and Mademli, Lida and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Plasticity of the human tendon to short and long-term mechanical loading}, series = {Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews}, volume = {37}, journal = {Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews}, number = {2}, issn = {1538-3008}, doi = {10.1097/JES.0b013e31819c2e1d}, pages = {66 -- 72}, year = {2009}, language = {en} } @article{AggeloussisGiannakouAlbrachtetal.2010, author = {Aggeloussis, Nickos and Giannakou, Erasmia and Albracht, Kirsten and Arampatzis, Adamantios}, title = {Reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in human gait in vivo}, series = {Gait and Posture}, volume = {31}, journal = {Gait and Posture}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0966-6362}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.08.249}, pages = {73 -- 77}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The purpose of the current study was to examine the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis while human walking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the reproducibility of fascicle length and pennation angle of gastrocnemius medialis in vivo during human gait. Twelve males performed 10 gait trials on a treadmill, in 2 separate days. B-mode ultrasonography, with the ultrasound probe firmly adjusted in the transverse and frontal planes using a special cast, was used to measure the fascicle length and the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM). A Vicon 624 system with three cameras operating at 120 Hz was also used to record the ankle and knee joint angles. The results showed that measurements of fascicle length and pennation angle showed high reproducibility during the gait cycle, both within the same day and between different days. Moreover, the root mean square differences between the repeated waveforms of both variables were very small, compared with their ranges (fascicle length: RMS = ∼3 mm, range: 38-63 mm; pennation angle: RMS = ∼1.5°, range: 22-32°). However, their reproducibility was lower compared to the joint angles. It was found that representative data have to be derived by a wide number of gait trials (fascicle length ∼six trials, pennation angle more than 10 trials), to assure the reliability of the fascicle length and pennation angle in human gait.}, language = {en} } @article{ArampatzisPeperBierbaumetal.2010, author = {Arampatzis, Adamantios and Peper, Andreas and Bierbaum, Stefanie and Albracht, Kirsten}, title = {Plasticity of human Achilles tendon mechanical and morphological properties in response to cyclic strain}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {43}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {16}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.08.014}, pages = {3073 -- 3079}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The purpose of the current study in combination with our previous published data (Arampatzis et al., 2007) was to examine the effects of a controlled modulation of strain magnitude and strain frequency applied to the Achilles tendon on the plasticity of tendon mechanical and morphological properties. Eleven male adults (23.9±2.2 yr) participated in the study. The participants exercised one leg at low magnitude tendon strain (2.97±0.47\%), and the other leg at high tendon strain magnitude (4.72±1.08\%) of similar frequency (0.5 Hz, 1 s loading, 1 s relaxation) and exercise volume (integral of the plantar flexion moment over time) for 14 weeks, 4 days per week, 5 sets per session. The exercise volume was similar to the intervention of our earlier study (0.17 Hz frequency; 3 s loading, 3 s relaxation) allowing a direct comparison of the results. Before and after the intervention ankle joint moment has been measured by a dynamometer, tendon-aponeurosis elongation by ultrasound and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon by magnet resonance images (MRI). We found a decrease in strain at a given tendon force, an increase in tendon-aponeurosis stiffness and tendon elastic modulus of the Achilles tendon only in the leg exercised at high strain magnitude. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the Achilles tendon did not show any statistically significant (P>0.05) differences to the pre-exercise values in both legs. The results indicate a superior improvement in tendon properties (stiffness, elastic modulus and CSA) at the low frequency (0.17 Hz) compared to the high strain frequency (0.5 Hz) protocol. These findings provide evidence that the strain magnitude applied to the Achilles tendon should exceed the value, which occurs during habitual activities to trigger adaptational effects and that higher tendon strain duration per contraction leads to superior tendon adaptational responses.}, language = {en} } @article{KaramanidisAlbrachtBraunsteinetal.2011, author = {Karamanidis, Kiros and Albracht, Kirsten and Braunstein, Bjoern and Catala, Maria Moreno and Goldmann, Jan-Peter and Br{\"u}ggemann, Gert-Peter}, title = {Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance}, series = {Gait and Posture}, volume = {34}, journal = {Gait and Posture}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0966-6362}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.03.009}, pages = {138 -- 141}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N = 11, 10.30 ± 0.07 s; slow: N = 7, 10.70 ± 0.08 s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components.}, 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{YangKriechbaumerAlbrachtetal.2014, author = {Yang, Peng-Fei and Kriechbaumer, Andreas and Albracht, Kirsten and Sanno, Maximilian and Ganse, Bergita and Koy, Timmo and Shang, Peng and br{\"u}ggemann, Gert-Peter and M{\"u}ller, Lars Peter and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn}, title = {A novel optical approach for assessing in vivo bone segment deformation and its application in muscle-bone relationship studies in humans}, series = {Journal of Orthopaedic Translation}, volume = {2}, journal = {Journal of Orthopaedic Translation}, number = {4}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Singapore}, issn = {2214-0328}, doi = {10.1016/j.jot.2014.07.078}, pages = {238 -- 238}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{SeynnesBojsenMollerAlbrachtetal.2015, author = {Seynnes, O. R. and Bojsen-Moller, J. and Albracht, Kirsten and Arndt, A. and Cronin, N. J. and Finni, T. and Magnusson, S. P.}, title = {Ultrasound-based testing of tendon mechanical properties: a critical evaluation}, series = {Journal of Applied Physiology}, volume = {118}, journal = {Journal of Applied Physiology}, number = {2}, issn = {8750-7587}, doi = {10.1152/japplphysiol.00849.2014}, pages = {133 -- 141}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{BelavyAlbrachtBruggemannetal.2016, author = {Belavy, Daniel L. and Albracht, Kirsten and Bruggemann, Gert-Peter and Vergroesen, Pieter-Paul A. and Dieen, Jaap H. van}, title = {Can exercise positively influence the intervertebral disc?}, series = {Sports Medicine}, volume = {46}, journal = {Sports Medicine}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1179-2035}, doi = {10.1007/s40279-015-0444-2}, pages = {473 -- 485}, year = {2016}, abstract = {To better understand what kinds of sports and exercise could be beneficial for the intervertebral disc (IVD), we performed a review to synthesise the literature on IVD adaptation with loading and exercise. The state of the literature did not permit a systematic review; therefore, we performed a narrative review. The majority of the available data come from cell or whole-disc loading models and animal exercise models. However, some studies have examined the impact of specific sports on IVD degeneration in humans and acute exercise on disc size. Based on the data available in the literature, loading types that are likely beneficial to the IVD are dynamic, axial, at slow to moderate movement speeds, and of a magnitude experienced in walking and jogging. Static loading, torsional loading, flexion with compression, rapid loading, high-impact loading and explosive tasks are likely detrimental for the IVD. Reduced physical activity and disuse appear to be detrimental for the IVD. We also consider the impact of genetics and the likelihood of a 'critical period' for the effect of exercise in IVD development. The current review summarises the literature to increase awareness amongst exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomic professionals regarding IVD health and provides recommendations on future directions in research.}, 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{ZangeSchopenAlbrachtetal.2017, author = {Zange, Jochen and Schopen, Kathrin and Albracht, Kirsten and Gerlach, Darius A. and Frings-Meuthen, Petra and Maffiuletti, Nicola A. and Bloch, Wilhelm and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn}, title = {Using the Hephaistos orthotic device to study countermeasure effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and dietary lupin protein supplementation, a randomised controlled trial}, series = {Plos one}, volume = {12}, journal = {Plos one}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0171562}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{RittwegerAlbrachtFluecketal.2018, author = {Rittweger, J{\"o}rn and Albracht, Kirsten and Fl{\"u}ck, Martin and Ruoss, Severin and Brocca, Lorenza and Longa, Emanuela and Moriggi, Manuela and Seynnes, Olivier and Di Giulio, Irene and Tenori, Leonardo and Vignoli, Alessia and Capri, Miriam and Gelfi, Cecilia and Luchinat, Claudio and Franceschi, Claudio and Bottinelli, Roberto and Cerretelli, Paolo and Narici, Marco}, title = {Sarcolab pilot study into skeletal muscle's adaptation to longterm spaceflight}, series = {npj Microgravity}, volume = {4}, journal = {npj Microgravity}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Portfolio}, issn = {2373-8065}, doi = {10.1038/s41526-018-0052-1}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2018}, 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{KetelhutGoellBraunsteinetal.2018, author = {Ketelhut, Maike and G{\"o}ll, Fabian and Braunstein, Bj{\"o}rn and Albracht, Kirsten and Abel, Dirk}, title = {Comparison of different training algorithms for the leg extension training with an industrial robot}, series = {Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering}, volume = {4}, journal = {Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering}, number = {1}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2364-5504}, doi = {10.1515/cdbme-2018-0005}, pages = {17 -- 20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In the past, different training scenarios have been developed and implemented on robotic research platforms, but no systematic analysis and comparison have been done so far. This paper deals with the comparison of an isokinematic (motion with constant velocity) and an isotonic (motion against constant weight) training algorithm. Both algorithms are designed for a robotic research platform consisting of a 3D force plate and a high payload industrial robot, which allows leg extension training with arbitrary six-dimensional motion trajectories. In the isokinematic as well as the isotonic training algorithm, individual paths are defined i n C artesian s pace by sufficient s upport p oses. I n t he i sotonic t raining s cenario, the trajectory is adapted to the measured force as the robot should only move along the trajectory as long as the force applied by the user exceeds a minimum threshold. In the isotonic training scenario however, the robot's acceleration is a function of the force applied by the user. To validate these findings, a simulative experiment with a simple linear trajectory is performed. For this purpose, the same force path is applied in both training scenarios. The results illustrate that the algorithms differ in the force dependent trajectory adaption.}, 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{CapriMorsianiSantoroetal.2019, author = {Capri, Miriam and Morsiani, Cristina and Santoro, Aurelia and Moriggi, Manuela and Conte, Maria and Martucci, Morena and Bellavista, Elena and Fabbri, Cristina and Giampieri, Enrico and Albracht, Kirsten and Fl{\"u}ck, Martin and Ruoss, Severin and Brocca, Lorenza and Canepari, Monica and Longa, Emanuela and Giulio, Irene Di and Bottinelli, Roberto and Cerretelli, Paolo and Salvioli, Stefano and Gelfi, Cecilia and Franceschi, Claudio and Narici, Marco and Rittweger, J{\"o}rn}, title = {Recovery from 6-month spaceflight at the International Space Station: muscle-related stress into a proinflammatory setting}, series = {The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology}, volume = {33}, journal = {The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1096/fj.201801625R}, pages = {5168 -- 5180}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{QuittmannAbelAlbrachtetal.2019, author = {Quittmann, Oliver J. and Abel, Thomas and Albracht, Kirsten and Str{\"u}der, Heiko K.}, title = {Reliability of muscular activation patterns and their alterations during incremental handcycling in able-bodied participants}, series = {Sports Biomechanics}, journal = {Sports Biomechanics}, number = {Article in press}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {London}, issn = {1752-6116}, doi = {10.1080/14763141.2019.1593496}, year = {2019}, 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} }