Abstract
Direct in vivo tendon force measurements open up new possibilities for understanding of muscletendon loads during natural locomotion. The present report presents a new optic fibre method for such applications. The method is based on light intensity modulation by mechanical modification of the geometric properties of the optic fibre. A special optic fibre with a plastic covering buffer and with a total diameter of either 265 μm or 500 μm was carefully prepared at both ends for receiving and transmitting light. The fibre was inserted through the rabbit common calcaneal tendon with a 20 gauge needle. By removing the needle the optic fibre remained in situ. Static loading demonstrated that the voltage output of the optic fibre transducer showed a good linear fit of r =.999 with added loads. In dynamic loading conditions the optic fibre followed well the response of a strain gauge transducer, which was also attached to the tendon. The optic fibre method seems suitable for many applications for tensile and possibly ligament force measurements.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bocquet J-C, Noel J (1987) Sensitive skin-pressure and strain sensor with optical fibres. Proceeding of 2nd Congress on Structural Mechanics of Optical Systems, 13–15 January 1987, Los Angeles, California, USA
Butler DL, Grood ES, Noyes FR, Zernicke RE (1978) Biomechanics of ligament and tendons. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 6:125–181
Candau R, Belli A, Chatard JC, Carrez J-P, Lacour J-R (1993) Stretch shortening cycle in the skating technique of cross country skiing. Sci Motricité 22:252–256
Fukashiro S, Komi PV, Järvinen M, Miyashita M (1993) Comparison between the directly measured achilles tendon force and the tendon force calculated from the ankle joint movement during vertical jumps. Clin Biomech 8:25–30
Gregor RJ, Komi PV, Browing RC, Järvinen M (1991) A comparision for the triceps surae and residual muscle at the ankel during cycling. J Biochem 24:287–297
Gregor RJ, Roy RR, Whiting WC, Hodgson JA, Edgerton VR (1988) Force-velocity potentation in cat soleus muscle during treadmill locomotion. J Biomechanics 21:721–732
Komi PV (1990) Relevance of in vivo force measurements to human biomechanics. J Biomechanics [Suppl 1] 23:23–34
Komi PV, Salonen M, Järvinen M (1984) In vivo measurements of achilles tendon forces in man. ACSM Ann Meeting Abstr Med Sci Sports Exercise 16:165–166
Komi PV, Salonen M, Järvinen M, Kokko O (1987) In vivo registration of achilles tendon forces in man. 1. methodological development. Int J Sports Med 8:3–8
Peres G, Maton B, Lanjerit B, Philippe C (1983) Electromyographic and mechanical aspects of the coordination between elbow flexor muscles in monkeys. In: Matsui H, Kobayashi K (eds) Biomechanics VIII-A. pp 455–463
Salmons S (1969) The 8th International Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering — meeting report. Bio Med Eng 4:467–474
Sidles JA, Clark JM, Garbini JL (1991) A geometric theory of the equilibrium mechanics of fibres in ligaments and tendons. J Biomechanics 24:943–949
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Komi, P.V., Belli, A., Huttunen, V. et al. Optic fibre as a transducer of tendomuscular forces. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 72, 278–280 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00838652
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00838652