CAN SHORT TERM IMOBILIZATION INFLUENCE SKELETAL MUSCLE BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES?

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 wasn’t any statistical difference between the 7 and 14 days of immobilization.