%0 Journal Article %T CAN SHORT TERM IMOBILIZATION INFLUENCE SKELETAL MUSCLE BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES? %A JoŁżo Paulo Chieregato Matheus %A Liana Barbaresco Gomide %A Juliana Goulart Prata de Oliveira Milani %A AntŁżnio Carlos Shimano %J Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity %D 2007 %I %X The study of the effects of the immobilization on the muscular tissue is a very important issue and the measurement of the biomechanics properties provides relevant knowledge about adaptations occurred from functional demands. Thirty female rats were used and divided in to 3 groups: (1) controls, (2) right hind limb immobilized in plaster for 7 days and (3) the same immobilization for 14 days. After completing the experimental time, the animals were killed and their gastrocnemius muscles were submitted to a mechanical test of traction. The analyzed properties were: ultimate deformation, ultimate load and stiffness. The immobilization promoted significant decrease (p<0,05) in all analyzed properties but there wasnĄŻt any statistical difference between the 7 and 14 days of immobilization. %K muscle %K biomechanics properties %K rat %K immobilization %U http://www.brjb.com.br/files/brjb_5_1200706_id2.pdf