Simple Muscle Architecture Analysis (SMA): an ImageJ macro tool to automate measurements in B-mode ultrasound scans

In vivo measurements of muscle architecture (i.e. the spatial arrangement of muscle fascicles) are routinely included in research and clinical settings to monitor muscle structure, function and plasticity. However, in most cases such measurements are performed manually, and more reliable and time-efficient automated methods are either lacking completely, or are inaccessible to those without expertise in image analysis. In this work, we propose an ImageJ script to automate the entire analysis process of muscle architecture in ultrasound images: Simple Muscle Architecture Analysis (SMA). Images are filtered in the spatial and frequency domains with built-in commands and external plugins to highlight aponeuroses and fascicles. Fascicle dominant orientation is then computed in regions of interest using the OrientationJ plugin. Bland-Altman plots of analyses performed manually or with SMA indicates that the automated analysis does not induce any systematic bias and that both methods agree equally through the range of measurements. Our test results illustrate the suitability of SMA to analyse images from superficial muscles acquired with a broad range of ultrasound settings.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, 1 appendi

Architectural changes in superficial and deep compartments of the tibialis anterior during electrical stimulation over different sites

Electrical stimulation is widely used in rehabilitation to prevent muscle weakness and to assist the functional recovery of neural deficits. Its application is however limited by the rapid development of muscle fatigue due to the non-physiological motor unit (MU) recruitment. This issue can be mitigated by interleaving muscle belly (mStim) and nerve stimulation (nStim) to distribute the temporal recruitment among different MU groups. To be effective, this approach requires the two stimulation modalities to activate minimally-overlapped groups of MUs. In this manuscript, we investigated spatial differences between mStim and nStim MU recruitment through the study of architectural changes of superficial and deep compartments of tibialis anterior (TA). We used ultrasound imaging to measure variations in muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fiber length during mStim, nStim, and voluntary (Vol) contractions at 15% and 25% of the maximal force. For both contraction levels, architectural changes induced by nStim in the deep and superficial compartments were similar to those observed during Vol. Instead, during mStim superficial fascicles underwent a greater change compared to those observed during nStim and Vol, both in absolute magnitude and in their relative differences between compartments. These observations suggest that nStim results in a distributed MU recruitment over the entire muscle volume, similarly to Vol, whereas mStim preferentially activates the superficial muscle layer. The diversity between spatial recruitment of nStim and mStim suggests the involvement of different MU populations, which justifies strategies based on interleaved nerve/muscle stimulation to reduce muscle fatigue during electrically-induced contractions of TA

Rate of force development relationships to muscle architecture and contractile behavior in the human vastus lateralis

In this study, we tested the hypotheses that (i) rate of force development (RFD) is correlated to muscle architecture and dynamics and that (ii) force–length–velocity properties limit knee extensor RFD. Twenty-one healthy participants were tested using ultrasonography and dynamometry. Vastus lateralis optimal fascicle length, fascicle velocity, change in pennation angle, change in muscle length, architectural gear ratio, and force were measured during rapid fixed-end contractions at 60° knee angle to determine RFD. Isokinetic and isometric tests were used to estimate individual force–length–velocity properties, to evaluate force production relative to maximal potential. Correlation analyses were performed between force and muscle parameters for the first three 50 ms intervals. RFD was not related to optimal fascicle length for any measured time interval, but RFD was positively correlated to fascicle shortening velocity during all intervals (r = 0.49–0.69). Except for the first interval, RFD was also related to trigonometry-based changes in muscle length and pennation angle (r = 0.45–0.63) but not to architectural gear ratio. Participants reached their individual vastus lateralis force–length–velocity potential (i.e. their theoretical maximal force at a given length and shortening velocity) after 62 ± 24 ms. Our results confirm the theoretical importance of fascicle shortening velocity and force–length–velocity properties for rapid force production and suggest a role of fascicle rotation.publishedVersio

Muscle thickness correlates to muscle cross sectional area in the assessment of strength training induced hypertrophy

Aim: Muscle thickness (MT) measured by ultrasound has been used to estimate cross-sectional area (measured by CT and MRI) at a single time-point. We tested whether MT could be used as a valid marker of MRI determined muscle anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) and volume changes following resistance training (RT). Methods: Nine healthy, young, male volunteers (24±2 y.o., BMI 24.1±2.8 kg/m2) had vastus lateralis (VL) muscle volume (VOL) and ACSA mid (at 50% of femur length, FL) assessed by MRI, and VL MT measured by ultrasound at 50% FL. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks of isokinetic RT. Differences between baseline and post-training were assessed by Student’s paired t-test. The relationships between MRI and ultrasound measurements were tested by Pearson’s correlation. Results: After RT, MT increased by 7.5±6.1% (p0.05). Conclusions: These data support evidence that MT is a reliable index of muscle ACSAmid and VOL at a single time-point. MT changes following RT are associated with parallel changes in muscle ACSAmid but not with the changes in VOL, highlighting the impact of RT on regional hypertrophy

Simple Muscle Architecture Analysis (SMA): An ImageJ macro tool to automate measurements in B-mode ultrasound scans

In vivo measurements of muscle architecture (i.e. the spatial arrangement of muscle fascicles) are routinely included in research and clinical settings to monitor muscle structure, function and plasticity. However, in most cases such measurements are performed manually, and more reliable and time-efficient automated methods are either lacking completely, or are inaccessible to those without expertise in image analysis. In this work, we propose an ImageJ script to automate the entire analysis process of muscle architecture in ultrasound images: Simple Muscle Architecture Analysis (SMA). Images are filtered in the spatial and frequency domains with built-in commands and external plugins to highlight aponeuroses and fascicles. Fascicle dominant orientation is then computed in regions of interest using the OrientationJ plugin. Bland-Altman plots of analyses performed manually or with SMA indicate that the automated analysis does not induce any systematic bias and that both methods agree equally through the range of measurements. Our test results illustrate the suitability of SMA to analyse images from superficial muscles acquired with a broad range of ultrasound settings

Training Strategies to Improve Muscle Power: Is Olympic-style Weightlifting Relevant?

Introduction: This efficacy study investigated the effects of (1) Olympic-style weightlifting (OWL), (2) motorized strength and power training (MSPT), and (3) free weight strength and power training (FSPT) on muscle power. Methods: Thirty-nine young athletes (20±3 yr.; ice hockey, volleyball and badminton) were randomized into the three training groups. All groups participated in 2-3 sessions/week for 8 weeks. The MSPT and FSPT groups trained using squats (two legs and single leg) with high force and high power, while the OWL group trained using clean and snatch exercises. MSPT was conducted as slow-speed isokinetic strength training and isotonic power training with augmented eccentric load, controlled by a computerized robotic engine system. FSPT used free weights. The training volume (sum of repetitions x kg) was similar between all three groups. Vertical jumping capabilities were assessed by countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), and loaded CMJs (10-80 kg). Sprinting capacity was assessed in a 30 m sprint. Secondary variables were squat 1-repetitionmaximum, body composition and quadriceps thickness and architecture. Results: OWL resulted in trivial improvements, and inferior gains compared to FSPT and MSPT for CMJ, SJ, and DJ. MSPT demonstrated small, but robust effects on SJ, DJ and loaded CMJs (3-12%). MSPT was superior to FSPT in improving 30 m sprint performance. FSPT and MSPT, but not OWL, demonstrated increased thickness in the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris (4-7%). Conclusion: MSPT was time-efficient and equally or more effective than FSPT training in improving vertical jumping and sprinting performance. OWL was generally ineffective and inferior to the two other interventions.Training Strategies to Improve Muscle Power: Is Olympic-style Weightlifting Relevant?acceptedVersio

Human skeletal muscle fibre contractile properties and proteomic profile: Adaptations to 3 weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension and active recovery

Following disuse, muscle fibre function goes through adaptations such as a loss of specific force (PO/CSA) and an increase in unloaded shortening velocity, which could be a result of both quantitative changes (i.e. atrophy) and qualitative changes in protein pattern. The underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In addition, little is known about the recovery of muscle mass and strength following disuse. In the present study, we report an extensive dataset describing, in detail,the functional and protein content adaptations of skeletal muscle in response to both disuse and re-training. Eight young healthy subjects were subjected to 3 weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS), a widely used human model of disuse skeletal muscle atrophy. Needle biopsies samples were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle Pre-ULLS, Post-ULLS and after 3 weeks of recovery during which heavy resistance training was performed. After disuse, cross-sectional area (CSA), PO/CSA and myosin concentration (MC) decreased in both type 1 and 2A skinned muscle fibres. After recovery, CSA and MC returned to levels comparable to those observed before disuse, whereas Po/CSA and unloaded shortening velocity reached a higher level. Myosin heavy chain isoform composition of muscle samples did not differ among the experimental groups. To study the mechanisms underlying such adaptations, a two-dimensional proteomic analysis was performed. ULLS induced a reduction of myofibrillar, metabolic (glycolytic and oxidative) and anti-oxidant defence system protein content. Resistance training was very effective in counteracting ULLS-induced alterations, indicating that long-term ULLS did not prevent the positive effect of exercise on human muscle. © 2015 The Physiological Society