| Kyoushi Mase, Hiromitsu Kamimura, Shigeyuki Imura and Kaoru Kitagawa |
The relationship between muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) of the vastus medialis and muscle strength of knee extensors was observed in patients with joint disorder of the lower limb, and the feasibility of MFCV as an index for evaluating the condition of muscular disuse was examined. The results showed that MFCV was significantly slower in patients with joint disorder than in healthy subjects, muscle strength of knee extensors was significantly lower in patients than in healthy, muscle strength displayed a significant positive correlation with MFCV in patients with joint disorder, in patients after joint surgery of the lower limb MFCV increased with muscle strength recovery, reduced MFCV in patients with joint disorder appears to primarily reflect muscle atrophy of type II fibers. The authors conclude that MFCV of patients with joint disorder of the lower limb may thus reflect changes in muscle fiber type and diameter.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science, Vol. 18 (2006) , No. 2 115-121