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Modelling force-length-activation relationships of wrist and finger extensor muscles

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Abstract

The wrist and finger extensors play a crucial role in the muscle coordination during grasping tasks. Nevertheless, few data are available regarding their force-generating capacities. The objective of this study was to provide a model of the force-length-activation relationships of the hand extensors using non-invasive methods. The extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) were studied as representative of wrist and finger extensors. Ten participants performed isometric extension force-varying contractions in different postures on an ergometer recording resultant moment. The joint angle, the myotendinous junction displacement and activation were synchronously tracked using motion capture, ultrasound and electromyography. Muscle force was estimated via a musculoskeletal model using the measured joint angle and moment. The force-length-activation relationship was then obtained by fitting a force-length model at different activation levels to the measured data. The obtained relationships agreed with previously reported data regarding muscle architecture, sarcomere length and activation-dependent shift of optimal length. Muscle forces estimated from kinematics and electromyography using the force-length-activation relationships were comparable, below 15% differences, to those estimated from moment via the musculoskeletal model. The obtained quantitative data provides a new insight into the different muscle mechanics of finger and wrist extensors.

Graphical abstract

By combining in vivo data (kinematics, dynamometry, electromyography, ultrasonography) during isometric force-varying contractions with musculoskeletal modelling, the force-length-activation relationships of both finger and wrist extensors were obtained. The results provided a new insight into the role of hand extensors in the generation and control of hand movements.

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Acknowledgements

The authors declare that the results of the study are presented clearly, honestly and without fabrication, falsification or inappropriate data manipulation. There were no external funding sources used in the preparation of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France

    Benjamin Goislard de Monsabert, Hugo Hauraix, Mathieu Caumes, Eric Berton & Laurent Vigouroux

  2. Department of Movement Sciences, Decathlon SportsLab, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France

    Alexis Herbaut

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  1. Benjamin Goislard de Monsabert
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  2. Hugo Hauraix
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Correspondence to Benjamin Goislard de Monsabert.

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This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was obtained from the local ethics committee of Aix-Marseille University.

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Electronic Supplementary material 1 – pdf document providing the data associated to the sample population Force-Length-Activation relationships for both muscles. (PDF 246 kb)

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Goislard de Monsabert, B., Hauraix, H., Caumes, M. et al. Modelling force-length-activation relationships of wrist and finger extensor muscles. Med Biol Eng Comput 58, 2531–2549 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-020-02239-0

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