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THIXOTROPIC CHANGES IN HUMAN MUSCLE STIFFNESS AND THE EFFECTS OF FATIGUE
Author(s) -
Lakie M.,
Robson Lesley G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0144-8757
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1988.sp003169
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , thixotropy , eccentric , muscle stiffness , stiffness , rest (music) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , materials science , structural engineering , physical therapy , engineering , composite material
Two methods have been used to study the stiffness of the relaxed finger musculature after movement followed by various times at rest. The muscles stiffen considerably as the time at rest increases. The time course of this change has been plotted; it continues at a declining rate for at least 30 min. The increased stiffness after resting can be immediately reduced by active or passive movements but not by isometric efforts. These changes characterize a thixotropic system and suggest a long‐term molecular rearrangement in relaxed muscle. Extensive eccentric exercise of the muscles under investigation reduces the overall stiffness and there is a concomitant increase in tremor on movement.