Muscle length adaptations to high-velocity training in young adults with Cerebral Palsy

Date
2019-07-08
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Abstract
Fascicle length is an important determinant of a muscle’s shortening velocity and excursion. Changes in fascicle length have been shown in typically developing adults following a period of high-velocity training (HVT); however, studies confirming this adaptation in Cerebral Palsy (CP) muscle are lacking. Improvements in fascicle length may allow these individuals to improve their muscular power output and therefore enhance functional movements including those used in sport performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate high-velocity training as an intervention strategy to increase medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle fascicle length and improve peak power outputs in CP. 12 young adults with CP (GMFCS I or II, 15-30 years) were randomly allocated to no training (CP-NT)(n=8), or training (CP-T) (n=8) for 10 weeks. 10 typically developing (TD) recreationally trained young adults (17-26 years) were also recruited for the study. The training consisted of 1-hour sessions bi-weekly for 10 weeks (20 sessions), with exercises involving sprints, plyometrics and agility tasks. Triceps surae muscle force-power-velocity and force-length relationships were quantified pre- and post-training using dynamometry and ultrasound. Triceps surae muscle moment arm was significantly different between TD (35.4 ± 3.6) and CP (29.1  5.5mm, p=0.002). The CP-T group had a significant increase in resting fascicle length (+4.1 mm, p<0.002) at a common ankle angle of 105°, but no significant change in power output and peak velocity. High velocity training was able to increase fascicle length, but additional training may be needed to enhance power output.
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Keywords
Moment Arm, ultrasound, tendon travel, Fascicle length, Cerebral Palsy, High velocity, Training
Citation
Gallinger, T. L. (2019). Muscle length adaptations to high-velocity training in young adults with Cerebral Palsy (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.