Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles: an autopsy study

wbldb

Johnson, M. A.¹; Polgar, J.¹; Weightman, D.¹; Appleton, D.¹

Data on the distribution of fibre types in thirty-six human muscles: an autopsy study

J Neurol Sci. January 1973;18(1):111-129

© Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam Printed in The Netherlands

Affiliations

¹Muscular Dystrophy Research Laboratories, Regional Neurological Centre, General Hospital and Department of Medical Statistics University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne (Great Britain)
Abstract

Samples of skeletal muscle were taken from 50 sites in each of 6 previously normal male autopsy subjects aged between 17 and 30 years. The respective percentages of Type I and Type II fibres were calculated and showed that there was a wide variation in fibre type proportions between the 6 samples in almost all the muscles studied. Examination of the mean fibre type proportions of each muscle revealed that predominantly tonic muscles had a high percentage of Type I fibres and predominantly phasic muscles had a high percentage of Type II fibres. Most of the muscles studied were known to fulfil both tonic and phasic functions, however, and showed no striking preponderance of either fibre type.

The spatial distribution of the fibre types was examined in order to determine whether this was random or not. The number of “enclosed” fibres observed in the actual samples was compared statistically with the number expected to occur in a hexagonal lattice model, assuming a random distribution. In the great majority of muscles, the distribution of the fibre types was in fact random, though isolated instances of grouping of fibres of uniform type were noted in some distal muscles and more regularly in extensor digitorum brevis.

The methods used in the quantitative assessment of the proportions and spatial distribution of the respective fibre types in normal muscle have obvious applications in the study of neuromuscular disease.
Links

DOI: 10.1016/0022-510X(73)90023-3

PubMed: 4120482

WoS: A1973O731700008
History

Received: 1972-08-3

Cited By (33)

Year	Entry
1990	Yamaguchi GT, Sawa AGU, Moran DW, Fessler MJ, Winters JM. A survey of human musculotendon actuator parameters. In: Winters JM, Woo SL-Y, eds. Multiple Muscle Systems: Biomechanics and Movement Organization. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag; 1990:717-773.
1985	Winters JM, Stark L. Analysis of fundamental human movement patterns through the use of in-depth antagonistic muscle models. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 1985;32(10):826-839.
1984	Dul J, Johnson GE, Shiavi R, Townsend MA. Muscular synergism, II: a minimum-fatigue criterion for load sharing between synergistic muscles. J Biomech. 1984;17(9):675-684.
1986	Bobbert MF, Huijing PA, van Ingen Schenau GJ. A model of the human triceps surae muscle-tendon complex applied to jumping. J Biomech. 1986;19(11):887-898.
1986	Bobbert MF, Huijing PA, van Ingen Schenau GJ. An estimation of power output and work done by the human triceps surae musle-tendon complex in jumping. J Biomech. 1986;19(11):899-906.
1988	Winters JM, Stark L. Estimated mechanical properties of synergistic muscles involved in movements of a variety of human joints. J Biomech. 1988;21(12):1027-1041.
2010	Saraswat P, Andersen MS, MacWilliams BA. A musculoskeletal foot model for clinical gait analysis. J Biomech. 2010;43(9):1645-1652.
1984	Armstrong RB. Mechanisms of exercise-induced delayed onset muscular soreness: a brief review. Med Sci Sports Exer. December 1984;16(6):529-38.
2021	Williamson PM. Toward a Framework for Evaluating Patients With Partial Rotator Cuff Tear [PhD thesis]. Boston University; 2021.
1985	Audu ML. Optimal Control Modeling of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Motion [PhD thesis]. Cleveland, OH: Case Western Reserve University; January 1985.
1997	Greeves J. The Effect of Reproductive Hormones on Muscle Function in Young and Middle-Aged Females [PhD thesis]. Liverpool John Moores University; May 1997.
1986	Buchanan TS. A Biomechanical Analysis of the Neural Control of Muscles about the Human Elbow Joint During Isometric Tasks [PhD thesis]. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University; June 1986.
2019	Boggess G. A Comparison of Computational Muscle Models Using Intramuscular Pressure: A Surrogate for Muscle Force [Master's thesis]. Houston, TX: Rice University; 2019.
1988	Khang G. Paraplegic Standing Controlled by Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation: Computer Model, Control System Design, and Simulation Studies [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; June 1988.
2001	Pappas G. Characterization of Biceps Brachii Architecture and Contraction Mechanics Using Medical Imaging Techniques [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; February 2001.
1993	Guimaraes ACS. The EMG-Force Relation of the Cat Soleus Muscle [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; December 1993.
1996	Vaz MA. Mechanism of Muscle Vibrations During Stimulated and Voluntary Isometric Contractions of Mammalian Skeletal Muscle [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; June 1996.
2005	Eteraf Oskouei MA. History Dependence of Skeletal Muscle Force Production in Sub-Maximal Voluntary Contractions of Human Adductor Pollicis Muscle [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; October 2005.
2005	Valderrabano V. Ankle Osteoarthritis: Biomechanical and Orthopaedic Aspects [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; December 2005.
2010	Manske SL. Muscle Disuse and Vibration Effects on Bone Morphology [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; December 2010.
2013	Vienneau JA. Comparison of Leg Muscle Activity and Vibration Propagation During Whole Body Vibration Between Older and Young Adult Populations [Master's thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; December 2013.
1990	Hawkins DA. A Cellular-Based Muscle Model: Formulation and Application for Studying Muscle Mechanics [PhD thesis]. Davis, University of California; 1990.
2006	Camilleri MJ. Increasing Accuracy and Establishing Statistical Confidence of Forward Dynamic Simulations of Human Movement [PhD thesis]. Davis, University of California; 2006.
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.
2020	Schlink BR. Measuring Spatial Lower Limb Myoelectric Activity During Human Locomotion With High-Density Electromyography [PhD thesis]. University of Florida; August 2020.
1998	Van Don BJ. Hamstring Injuries in Sprinting [PhD thesis]. University of Iowa; July 1998.
2012	Qin EC. Investigating the Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Skeletal Muscle Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography and Diffusion Tensor Imaging [PhD thesis]. University of New South Wales; 2012.
2016	Villarreal Ángeles MA. Efecto crónico de un programa de acondicionamiento físico basado en el método Pilates sobre variables de la aptitud física, percepción de la calidad de vida y el estado de ánimo en adusltos mayores del Estado de Durango, México [PhD thesis]. Pablo de Olavide University Sevilla; May 2016.
2012	Raths C. Neuromuscular Dynamics in the Context of Motor Redundancy [PhD thesis]. University of Southern California (USC); August 2012.
2010	Silverman AK. Compensatory Mechanisms in Below-Knee Amputee Walking and Their Effects on Knee Joint Loading, Metabolic Cost and Angular Momentum [PhD thesis]. University of Texas at Austin; August 2010.
2012	Slowik JS. A Theoretical Analysis of the Influence of Wheelchair Seat Position on Upper Extremity Demand [Master's thesis]. University of Texas at Austin; August 2012.
2021	Knaus KR. Form and Function Relationships Governing Complex Muscle-Soft Tissue Interactions Revealed With 3D Modeling: Applications to Aging [PhD thesis]. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia; May 2021.
2009	Azar NO. Muscular Response to Tensile Loading of the Cervical Facet Joint Capsule: A Potential Whiplash Pain Mechanism [PhD thesis]. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University; May 2009.