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On simulating sustained isometric muscle fatigue: a phenomenological model considering different fiber metabolisms

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Abstract

The present study shows a new computational FEM technique to simulate the evolution of the mechanical response of 3D muscle models subjected to fatigue. In an attempt to obtain very realistic models, parameters needed to adjust the mathematical formulation were obtained from in vivo experimental tests. The fatigue contractile properties of three different rat muscles (Tibialis Anterior, Extensor Digitorium Longus and Soleus) subjected to sustained maximal isometric contraction were determined. Experiments were conducted on three groups \((n=5)\) of male Wistar rats \((313 \pm 81.14\,\hbox {g})\) using a protocol previously developed by the authors for short tetanic contractions. The muscles were subjected to an electrical stimulus to achieve tetanic contraction during 10 s. The parameters obtained for each muscle were incorporated into a finite strain formulation for simulating active and passive behavior of muscles with different fiber metabolisms. The results show the potential of the model to predict muscle fatigue under high-frequency stimulation and the 3D distribution of mechanical variables such as stresses and strains.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge research support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects DPI2011-27939-C02-01 and DPI2011-15551-E), the Department of Industry and Innovation (Government of Aragon) and also support from the University of Zaragoza through the research projects UZ2010-BIO-09 and JIUZ-2012-TEC-05. The authors also want to thank the Tissue Characterization Platform of CIBER-BBN for technical support during the experimental tests. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Mechanics and Bioengineering, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Saragossa, Spain

    J. Grasa, M. Sierra, B. Calvo & F. J. Miana-Mena

  2. CIBER-BBN, Centro de Investigación en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Saragossa, Spain

    J. Grasa & B. Calvo

  3. Lagenbio-Ingen, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Saragossa, Spain

    M. J. Muñoz, F. Soteras & R. Osta

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  1. J. Grasa
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  2. M. Sierra
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  3. M. J. Muñoz
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Correspondence to J. Grasa.

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Grasa, J., Sierra, M., Muñoz, M.J. et al. On simulating sustained isometric muscle fatigue: a phenomenological model considering different fiber metabolisms. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 13, 1373–1385 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-014-0579-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-014-0579-3

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