Effect of knee and hip joint positions on passive stiffness of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis in healthy individuals.

Victor Hugo de Souza Ribeiro; Leandro Gomes de Jesus Ferreira; Jeam Marcel Geremia; Roberto de Souza Baptista; Nicolas Babault; Rita de C&#xe1;ssia Marqueti; Jo&#xe3;o Luiz Quagliotti Durigan

doi:10.1038/s41598-026-60808-z

PubMed · 42728264

Effect of knee and hip joint positions on passive stiffness of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis in healthy individuals.

Victor Hugo de Souza Ribeiro·Leandro Gomes de Jesus Ferreira·Jeam Marcel Geremia·Roberto de Souza Baptista·Nicolas Babault·Rita de Cássia Marqueti·João Luiz Quagliotti Durigan

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Abstract

Passive muscle stiffness is a key determinant of musculoskeletal function and is influenced by structural components such as titin, connective tissue, and fascia. However, the effects of joint position, muscle depth, and sex on quadriceps passive stiffness remain unclear. To investigate the passive stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) under different joint configurations, muscle depths, and between sexes using shear wave elastography (SWE). Thirty-six healthy young adults (18 men and 18 women) participated in this randomized crossover study. Passive stiffness was assessed in four positions of knee flexion: supine with 60° (SUP60), supine with 20° (SUP20), sitting with 60° (SIT60), and sitting with 20° (SIT20). SWE measurements (m/s) were obtained from 30 regions of interest (ROIs) per muscle, categorized into superficial, intermediate, and deep levels. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). A significant effect of position was observed, with higher stiffness values in the SUP60 condition for both RF and VL (p < 0.001). Superficial regions consistently exhibited greater stiffness compared to intermediate and deep regions across all positions (p < 0.001). Additionally, men demonstrated significantly higher stiffness values than women (p < 0.001). Significant interactions were found between position and muscle, as well as position and depth. Quadriceps passive stiffness is influenced by joint position, muscle depth, and sex. The SUP60 position elicits the highest stiffness, while superficial muscle regions are consistently stiffer. These findings highlight the non-uniform mechanical behavior of the quadriceps and may have implications for clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and exercise prescription. Clinical trial registration: This study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov in June 06th, 2023. Register number NCT05905406. Link to access https//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05905406.

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Humans Female Male Quadriceps Muscle Knee Joint Hip Joint Adult Young Adult Range of Motion, Articular Elasticity Imaging Techniques Healthy Volunteers Cross-Over Studies Elastography Joint angle Muscle stiffness Quadriceps Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial

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Victor Hugo de Souza Ribeiro, Leandro Gomes de Jesus Ferreira, Jeam Marcel Geremia, Roberto de Souza Baptista, Nicolas Babault, Rita de Cássia Marqueti, João Luiz Quagliotti Durigan. 2026-09-11. Effect of knee and hip joint positions on passive stiffness of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis in healthy individuals.. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-60808-z

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial resource Adult subject Cross-Over Studies subject Female subject Healthy Volunteers subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Male subject Randomized controlled trials study

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