TY  - JOUR
A1  - Waldvogel, Janice
A1  - Freyler, Kathrin
A1  - Helm, Michael
A1  - Monti, Elena
A1  - Stäudle, Benjamin
A1  - Gollhofer, Albert
A1  - Narici, Marco V.
A1  - Ritzmann, Ramona
A1  - Albracht, Kirsten
T1  - Changes in gravity affect neuromuscular control, biomechanics, and muscle-tendon mechanics in energy storage and dissipation tasks
JF  - Journal of Applied Physiology
N2  - This study evaluates neuromechanical control and muscle-tendon interaction during energy storage and dissipation tasks in hypergravity. During parabolic flights, while 17 subjects performed drop jumps (DJs) and drop landings (DLs), electromyography (EMG) of the lower limb muscles was combined with in vivo fascicle dynamics of the gastrocnemius medialis, two-dimensional (2D) kinematics, and kinetics to measure and analyze changes in energy management. Comparisons were made between movement modalities executed in hypergravity (1.8 G) and gravity on ground (1 G). In 1.8 G, ankle dorsiflexion, knee joint flexion, and vertical center of mass (COM) displacement are lower in DJs than in DLs; within each movement modality, joint flexion amplitudes and COM displacement demonstrate higher values in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Concomitantly, negative peak ankle joint power, vertical ground reaction forces, and leg stiffness are similar between both movement modalities (1.8 G). In DJs, EMG activity in 1.8 G is lower during the COM deceleration phase than in 1 G, thus impairing quasi-isometric fascicle behavior. In DLs, EMG activity before and during the COM deceleration phase is higher, and fascicles are stretched less in 1.8 G than in 1 G. Compared with the situation in 1 G, highly task-specific neuromuscular activity is diminished in 1.8 G, resulting in fascicle lengthening in both movement modalities. Specifically, in DJs, a high magnitude of neuromuscular activity is impaired, resulting in altered energy storage. In contrast, in DLs, linear stiffening of the system due to higher neuromuscular activity combined with lower fascicle stretch enhances the buffering function of the tendon, and thus the capacity to safely dissipate energy.
KW  - electromyography
KW  - locomotion
KW  - overload
KW  - stretch-shortening cycle
KW  - ultrasound
Y1  - 2023
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00279.2022
SN  - 1522-1601 (Onlineausgabe)
SN  - 8750-7587 (Druckausgabe)
VL  - 134
IS  - 1
SP  - 190
EP  - 202
PB  - American Physiological Society
CY  - Bethesda, Md.
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schoenrock, Britt
A1  - Muckelt, Paul E.
A1  - Hastermann, Maria
A1  - Albracht, Kirsten
A1  - MacGregor, Robert
A1  - Martin, David
A1  - Gunga, Hans-Christian
A1  - Salanova, Michele
A1  - Stokes, Maria J.
A1  - Warner, Martin B.
A1  - Blottner, Dieter
T1  - Muscle stiffness indicating mission crew health in space
JF  - Scientific Reports
N2  - Muscle function is compromised by gravitational unloading in space affecting overall musculoskeletal health. Astronauts perform daily exercise programmes to mitigate these effects but knowing which muscles to target would optimise effectiveness. Accurate inflight assessment to inform exercise programmes is critical due to lack of technologies suitable for spaceflight. Changes in mechanical properties indicate muscle health status and can be measured rapidly and non-invasively using novel technology. A hand-held MyotonPRO device enabled monitoring of muscle health for the first time in spaceflight (> 180 days). Greater/maintained stiffness indicated countermeasures were effective. Tissue stiffness was preserved in the majority of muscles (neck, shoulder, back, thigh) but Tibialis Anterior (foot lever muscle) stiffness decreased inflight vs. preflight (p < 0.0001; mean difference 149 N/m) in all 12 crewmembers. The calf muscles showed opposing effects, Gastrocnemius increasing in stiffness Soleus decreasing. Selective stiffness decrements indicate lack of preservation despite daily inflight countermeasures. This calls for more targeted exercises for lower leg muscles with vital roles as ankle joint stabilizers and in gait. Muscle stiffness is a digital biomarker for risk monitoring during future planetary explorations (Moon, Mars), for healthcare management in challenging environments or clinical disorders in people on Earth, to enable effective tailored exercise programmes.
KW  - Ageing
KW  - Anatomy
KW  - Muscle
KW  - Musculoskeletal system
KW  - Physiology
Y1  - 2024
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54759-6
SN  - 2045-2322
N1  - Corresponding author: Dieter Blottner
VL  - 14
IS  - Article number: 4196
PB  - Springer Nature
CY  - London
ER  -