Study on the Application of the Bio-Electrical Impedance Method for the Estimation of Tendon Elongation

抄録

This study aimed to investigate the applicability of the bio-electrical impedance (BI) method for the estimation of tendon elongation due to muscle contraction. We applied the BI method with a cylindrical model to the muscle-tendon complex (MTC). While subjects performed ramp isometric elbow flexion up to 80% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), BI was measured using a bio-electrical impedance muscle analyzer. Simultaneously, tendon elongation was also determined directly by ultrasonography. The amount of tendon elongation (ΔLt) and relative BI values (%BI) changed curvilinearly with increasing torque development. There was a significant negative correlation between ΔLt and %BI in each subject (r = 0.924 ∼ 0.994, p<0.01). Thus, the present results indicate the effectiveness of the BI method for the estimation of tendon elongation during muscle contractions in vivo in human.