Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Neuromuscular Function In Achilles Tendinopathy, Lauren K. Sara

Dissertations (1934 -)

Midportion Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a chronic, painful condition of the long tendon that attaches the triceps surae muscle group (the soleus, medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles), which are the primary plantar flexor muscles, to the calcaneus bone. There is incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, pain, and role of plantar flexor function (strength and fatigability) in functional impairment in AT. Deficits in plantar flexor muscle function are assumed, but evidence is sparce and inconclusive. There is no understanding of whether people with AT have deficits in neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles or altered contractile function, or the …

Neuromuscular Function In Women Postpartum, Rita Deering

Dissertations (1934 -)

Efficient abdominal muscle function is important for functional mobility in men and women, and dysfunction of these muscles has been associated with impaired function such as low back pain. This dissertation explored abdominal muscle function in healthy young men and young women who have never been pregnant (nulligravid). As pregnancy and child birth also impact the tissues of the abdominal wall, this dissertation will also explore abdominal muscle function in postpartum women. This dissertation involved three primary aims. Aim1 compared abdominal muscle function and experimental pain perception in males and nulligravid females. Maximal strength over a range of trunk angles, …

Sex Differences In Neuromuscular Fatigability Of The Knee Extensors Post-Stroke, Meghan Kirking, Reivian B. Barillas, Philip A. Nelson, Sandra K. Hunter, Allison Hyngstrom

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose: Despite the implications of optimizing strength training post-stroke, little is known about the differences in fatigability between men and women with chronic stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the sex differences in knee extensor muscle fatigability and potential mechanisms in individuals with stroke. Methods: Eighteen participants (10 men, eight women) with chronic stroke (≥6 months) and 23 (12 men, 11 women) nonstroke controls participated in the study. Participants performed an intermittent isometric contraction task (6 s contraction, 3 s rest) at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque until failure to maintain the target …

Muscle Function And Fatigability Of Trunk Flexors In Males And Females, Rita Deering, Jonathon Senefeld, Tatyana Pashibin, Donald A. Neumann, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Optimal function of the abdominal muscles is necessary for several life functions including lifting and carrying tasks. Sex differences in strength and fatigability are established for many limb muscles and back extensor muscles, but it is unknown if sex differences exist for the abdominal muscles despite their functional importance.

Methods

Eighteen females (24.3 ± 4.8 years) and 15 males (24.1 ± 6.6 years) performed (1) isometric trunk flexion maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in a range of trunk positions to establish a torque-angle curve and (2) submaximal (50% MVC), intermittent isometric contraction (6 s on, 4 s off) until task …