Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors

Abstract This study investigated the effects of progressively increasing voluntary activation during the stretch phase on force and work production in the stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC) of human knee extensors. Fifteen young adults performed SSCs under four stretch activation conditions: passive str...

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Main Authors: Iseul Jo, Wolfgang Seiberl, Hae‐Dong Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Physiological Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70377
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author Iseul Jo
Wolfgang Seiberl
Hae‐Dong Lee
author_facet Iseul Jo
Wolfgang Seiberl
Hae‐Dong Lee
author_sort Iseul Jo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigated the effects of progressively increasing voluntary activation during the stretch phase on force and work production in the stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC) of human knee extensors. Fifteen young adults performed SSCs under four stretch activation conditions: passive stretch (ST0%‐SC), feedback‐guided active stretch (ST40%‐SC and ST80%‐SC), and maximal effort stretch (ST100%‐SC). All conditions involved maximal voluntary activation during shortening, followed by a fixed‐end contraction at 20°. Outcome measures included joint torque and work, estimated fascicle force and work, vastus lateralis fascicle length and velocity, and quadriceps activation. Compared to passive stretch, active stretch conditions produced greater SSC effects, with no significant differences between ST80%‐SC and ST100%‐SC. Fascicle work did not differ significantly across conditions, suggesting a decoupling between joint‐level output and fascicle‐level contribution. Active stretch primarily enhanced force production during early shortening; however, the SSC effect persisted until mid‐to‐late shortening (80° to 38°) in ST80%‐SC. ST0%‐SC also showed nearly twice the fascicle shortening velocity of other conditions. Following shortening, ST100%‐SC exhibited greater residual force depression during the isometric phase, despite similar activation. These findings demonstrate that voluntary activation during stretch modulates SSC effect through a complex interplay involving muscle‐tendon unit decoupling and history‐dependent effects, fascicle dynamics, and tendon compliance.
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spelling doaj-art-cac6ff0b1c6740d3a8c49b1296ae5cf12025-08-20T04:27:55ZengWileyPhysiological Reports2051-817X2025-05-011310n/an/a10.14814/phy2.70377Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensorsIseul Jo0Wolfgang Seiberl1Hae‐Dong Lee2Department of Physical Education, Graduate School Yonsei University Seoul KoreaInstitute of Sports Science University of the Bundeswehr Munich Neubiberg GermanyFrontier Research Institute of Convergence Sports Science, College of Educational Sciences Yonsei University Seoul KoreaAbstract This study investigated the effects of progressively increasing voluntary activation during the stretch phase on force and work production in the stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC) of human knee extensors. Fifteen young adults performed SSCs under four stretch activation conditions: passive stretch (ST0%‐SC), feedback‐guided active stretch (ST40%‐SC and ST80%‐SC), and maximal effort stretch (ST100%‐SC). All conditions involved maximal voluntary activation during shortening, followed by a fixed‐end contraction at 20°. Outcome measures included joint torque and work, estimated fascicle force and work, vastus lateralis fascicle length and velocity, and quadriceps activation. Compared to passive stretch, active stretch conditions produced greater SSC effects, with no significant differences between ST80%‐SC and ST100%‐SC. Fascicle work did not differ significantly across conditions, suggesting a decoupling between joint‐level output and fascicle‐level contribution. Active stretch primarily enhanced force production during early shortening; however, the SSC effect persisted until mid‐to‐late shortening (80° to 38°) in ST80%‐SC. ST0%‐SC also showed nearly twice the fascicle shortening velocity of other conditions. Following shortening, ST100%‐SC exhibited greater residual force depression during the isometric phase, despite similar activation. These findings demonstrate that voluntary activation during stretch modulates SSC effect through a complex interplay involving muscle‐tendon unit decoupling and history‐dependent effects, fascicle dynamics, and tendon compliance.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70377fascicleforce depressionmuscle‐tendon dynamicsstretch‐shortening cycleultrasonography
spellingShingle Iseul Jo
Wolfgang Seiberl
Hae‐Dong Lee
Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
Physiological Reports
fascicle
force depression
muscle‐tendon dynamics
stretch‐shortening cycle
ultrasonography
title Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
title_full Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
title_fullStr Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
title_full_unstemmed Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
title_short Modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch‐shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
title_sort modulation of stretch activation influences the stretch shortening cycle effect in in vivo human knee extensors
topic fascicle
force depression
muscle‐tendon dynamics
stretch‐shortening cycle
ultrasonography
url https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70377
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AT wolfgangseiberl modulationofstretchactivationinfluencesthestretchshorteningcycleeffectininvivohumankneeextensors
AT haedonglee modulationofstretchactivationinfluencesthestretchshorteningcycleeffectininvivohumankneeextensors