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Stiffness of knee extensors in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Author(s) -
Cornu Christophe,
Goubel Francis,
Fardeau Michel
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199812)21:12<1772::aid-mus21>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - duchenne muscular dystrophy , muscular dystrophy , neuromuscular disease , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , muscle stiffness , stiffness , physical therapy , disease , physics , thermodynamics
The series elastic component (SEC) of Hill's muscle model is sensitive to a modification in muscle functional demand. In this study, SEC stiffness was quantified from quick‐released movements in knee extensors of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) boys to look for possible modifications with the stage of disease. A SEC stiffness index (SI) was defined and was found significantly lower for controls than for DMD. Moreover, a linear relationship was established between mean SI and knee extensors involvement. This suggests a role for this parameter, together with other functional tests, for following patients with DMD. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21: 1772–1774, 1998