The isometric functional capacity of muscles that cross the elbow

Murray, Wendy M.<sup>1</sup>; Buchanan, Thomas S.<sup>2</sup>; Delp, Scott L.<sup>3</sup>

Affiliations

¹Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University & VA FES Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Dr., H601 Cleveland, OH 44109-1998, USA

²Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA

³Biomechanical Engineering Division, Mechanical Engineering Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 04305, USA

Abstract and keywords

We hypothesized that muscles crossing the elbow have fundamental differences in their capacity for excursion, force generation, and moment generation due to differences in their architecture, moment arm, and the combination of their architecture and moment arm. Muscle fascicle length, sarcomere length, pennation angle, mass, and tendon displacement with elbow flexion were measured for the major elbow muscles in 10 upper extremity specimens. Optimal fascicle length, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), moment arm, operating range on the force–length curve, and moment-generating capacity were estimated from these data. Brachioradialis and pronator teres had the longest (17.7 cm) and shortest (5.5 cm) fascicles, respectively. Triceps brachii (combined heads) and brachioradialis had the greatest (14.9 cm²) and smallest (1.2 cm²) PCSAs, respectively. Despite a comparable fascicle length, long head of biceps brachii operates over a broader range of the force–length curve (length change=56% of optimal length, 12.8 cm) than the long head of triceps brachii (length change=28% of optimal length, 12.7 cm) because of its larger moment arm (4.7 cm vs. 2.3 cm). Although brachioradialis has a small PCSA, it has a relatively large moment-generating capacity (6.8 cm³) due to its large moment arm (average peak=7.7 cm). These results emphasize the need to consider the interplay of architecture and moment arm when evaluating the functional capabilities of a muscle.

Keywords: Elbow; Muscle architecture; Moment arms

Links

DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9290(00)00051-8

PubMed: 10828324

WoS: 000087474600005

History

Accepted: 2000-02-17

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Cited By (24)

Year	Entry
2005	Holzbaur KRS, Murray WM, Delp SL. A model of the upper extremity for simulating musculoskeletal surgery and analyzing neuromuscular control. Ann Biomed Eng. June 2005;33(6):829-840.
2002	Pappas GP, Asakawa DS, Delp SL, Zajac FE, Drace JE. Nonuniform shortening in the biceps brachii during elbow flexion. J Appl Physiol. June 2002;92(6):2381-2389.
2002	Murray WM, Buchanan TS, Delp SL. Scaling of peak moment arms of elbow muscles with upper extremity bone dimensions. J Biomech. January 2002;35(1):19-26.
2005	Blemker SS, Pinsky PM, Delp SL. A 3D model of muscle reveals the causes of nonuniform strains in the biceps brachii. J Biomech. April 1, 2005;38(4):657-665.
2007	Holzbaur KRS, Murray WM, Gold GE, Delp SL. Upper limb muscle volumes in adult subjects. J Biomech. 2007;40:742-749.
2007	Holzbaur KRS, Delp SL, Gold GE, Murray WM. Moment-generating capacity of upper limb muscles in healthy adults. J Biomech. 2007;40(11):2442-2449.
2023	Blemker SS. In vivo imaging of skeletal muscle form and function: 50 years of insight. J Biomech. September 2023;158:111745.
2010	Bae TS, Loan P, Choi K, Hong D, Mun MS. Estimation of muscle response using three-dimensional musculoskeletal models before impact situation: a simulation study. J Biomech Eng. December 2010;132(12):121011.
2006	Murray WM, Hentz VR, Fridén J, Lieber RL. Variability in surgical technique for brachioradialis tendon transfer: evidence and implications. J Bone Joint Surg. September 2006;88AA(9):2009-2016.
2022	Doshi RM, Reid MY, Dixit NN, Fawcett EB, Cole JH, Saul KR. Location of brachial plexus birth injury affects functional outcomes in a rat model. J Orthop Res. June 2022;40(6):1281-1292.
2001	Koo K-kT. Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling of the Elbow Joint in Subjects With and Without Spasticity [PhD thesis]. Hong Kong Polytechnic University; December 2001.
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2013	Friesenbichler BM. The Influence of Externally Applied Vibration and Compression on Muscular Performance and Recovery [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; November 2013.
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2019	Adams ZJ. Adaptations in Neural Control: Motor Unit Response to Isometric Force Production in Healthy Adults and Children With Cerebral Palsy [PhD thesis]. University of Delaware; 2019.
2011	Daly M. Adaptations Following Upper Extremity Resistance Training in Older Adults [PhD thesis]. Winston-Salem, NC: Wake Forest University; May 2011.
2015	Santago AC II. Implications of Aging and Degenerative Rotator Cuff Tears for Upper Limb Muscle Morphology, Strength, and Function [PhD thesis]. Winston-Salem, NC: Wake Forest University; May 2015.
2020	Dunham CL. The Mechanobiology of Elbow Contracture: Pathogenesis and Prevention [PhD thesis]. St. Louis, MO: Washington University in St. Louis; May 2020.