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Computer modeling of muscle-tendon complex interactions during jumping

Posted on:2006-02-24Degree:M.ScType:Thesis
University:University of Calgary (Canada)Candidate:Struthers, ColinFull Text:PDF
GTID:2454390005499001Subject:Biology
Abstract/Summary:
There is presently a debate about whether or not tendons are capable of storing and releasing elastic strain energy to amplify muscle power. In the current research, this issue was examined using two unique approaches. Firstly, a purely mathematical model of a simple in series muscle-tendon-mass system was developed to provide insight into the limits of ballistic jumping improvements by the addition of compliant tendons, a catch mechanism and an initial muscle stretch. To determine the validity of the purely mathematical system, a second model which incorporated a live, actively contracting muscle into the modeled system was designed. A secondary goal of this research was to anatomically and physiologically compare two species of frogs to determine why Cuban tree frogs can amplify peak muscle power over seven times what their muscles should be capable of, while leopard frogs lack this ability.;Using a rather unrealistic scenario, the addition of a tendon, a 500ms delay and an initial 20% muscle stretch, the mathematical model predicted an improved jump height by 1.5 times and peak power by 4.2 times above what a muscle alone could do. It appears that other factors must also contribute to power amplification which have yet to be identified. Limitations of the mathematical/physiological model prevented adequate assessment of the validity of the mathematical model. Additionally, Cuban tree frogs and leopard frogs were very similar anatomically and physiologically and, therefore, it appears that energy storage may account for at least part of the power amplification in the more able jumper.
Keywords/Search Tags:Muscle, Model, Power
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