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Review of the methods used for calculating physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) for ecological questions
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Review of the methods used for calculating physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) for ecological questions

M.L. Martin, K.J. Travouillon, P.A. Fleming and N.M. Warburton
Journal of Morphology, Vol.281(7), pp.778-789
2020
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Abstract

This review examines literature that used physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) as a representative measure of an individual muscle's maximal isometric force production. PCSA is used to understand the muscle architecture and how a trade‐off between muscle force and muscle contractile velocity reflect adaptations of the musculoskeletal system as a reflection of functional demands. Over the decades, methods have been developed to measure muscle volume, fascicle lengths, and pennation angle to calculate PCSA. The advantages and limitations of these methods (especially the inclusion/elimination of pennation angle) are discussed frequently; however, these method descriptions are scattered throughout the literature. Here, we reviewed and summarised the different approaches to collecting and recording muscle architectural properties to subsequently calculate PCSA. By critically discussing the advantages and limitations of each methodology, we aim to provide readers with an overview of repeatable methods to assess muscle architecture. This review may serve as a guide to facilitate readers searching for the appropriate techniques to calculate PCSA and measure muscle architecture to be applied in ecomorphology research.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#13 Climate Action
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
8 Earth Sciences
8.93 Archaeology
8.93.805 Mammalia
Web Of Science research areas
Anatomy & Morphology
ESI research areas
Biology & Biochemistry
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