All testing commenced with resting US imaging of the BFLH. For the collection of BFLH muscle architecture, initially the scanning site for all images was determined as the halfway point between the ischial tuberosity and the knee joint fold, along the line of the BF. Images were recorded while participants lay relaxed in a prone position, with the hip in neutral and the knee fully extended. Images were subsequently collected along the longitudinal axis of the muscle belly utilizing a 2D, B-mode ultrasound (MyLab 70 xVision, Esaote, Genoa, Italy) with a 7.5 MHz, 10 cm linear array probe with a depth resolution of 67 mm.
To collect the ultrasound images, a layer of conductive gel was placed across the linear array probe; the probe was then placed on the skin over the scanning site and aligned longitudinally to the BF and perpendicular to the skin. During collection of the ultrasound images, care was taken to ensure minimal pressure was applied to the skin, as a larger application of pressure distort images leading to temporarily elongated muscle fascicles. The assessor manipulated the orientation of the probe slightly if the superficial and intermediate aponeuroses were not parallel. These methods are consistent to those used previously [36 (link)].
To collect the ultrasound images, a layer of conductive gel was placed across the linear array probe; the probe was then placed on the skin over the scanning site and aligned longitudinally to the BF and perpendicular to the skin. During collection of the ultrasound images, care was taken to ensure minimal pressure was applied to the skin, as a larger application of pressure distort images leading to temporarily elongated muscle fascicles. The assessor manipulated the orientation of the probe slightly if the superficial and intermediate aponeuroses were not parallel. These methods are consistent to those used previously [36 (link)].
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