Preserving sarcomere number after tenotomy requires stretch and contraction. Muscle Nerve 2012 Mar;45(3):367-75
Date
02/16/2012Pubmed ID
22334171DOI
10.1002/mus.22286Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84857085486 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 25 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Passive stretch therapy is utilized to improve the range of motion of chronically shortened muscles. However, human studies show conflicting results as whether passive stretch is clinically effective.
METHODS: The soleus muscles of adult rats were tenotomized to induce muscle shortening adaptation. Muscles included were non-treated normal, subjected to daily static stretch, or lengthened and isometrically contracted for 20 min/day. Muscle fiber structure was analyzed histochemically. Sarcomeres per millimeter length were counted to assess the effect of treatment.
RESULTS: Passive stretch significantly reduced central core lesion formation, but sarcomere loss was not prevented. The addition of isometric contraction during static stretch significantly (P < 0.001) reduced sarcomere loss.
CONCLUSIONS: Passive stretch alone does not prevent shortening adaptation. Contraction is required in combination with stretch to preserve the number of sarcomeres in series. The combination of stretch and contraction is necessary to maintain proper muscle fiber length.
Author List
Van Dyke JM, Bain JL, Riley DAAuthor
Danny Riley PhD Emeritus Professor in the Cell Biology Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Analysis of VarianceAnimals
Disease Models, Animal
Electric Stimulation
Electrodes
Exercise Therapy
Male
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal
Muscle, Skeletal
Muscular Disorders, Atrophic
Myosins
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Sarcomeres
Tenotomy
Time Factors
