Our Faculty
Prof. AKIMA Hiroshi
Ph.D (University of Tsukuba)
Area of Expertise
Exercise physiology
Research Interests
skeletal muscle function
I’m interested in the effect of increase or decrease of level of physical activity (or neuromuscular activation) on function and morphology in human skeletal muscles. In our lab, two research topics are conducted. First, atrophy and dysfunction of muscle and its exercise prescription. This research theme is covered from injured patients, such as meniscal lesion, to Astronauts. Imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, are usable for research. Muscle biopsy technique is also available to detect hypertrophic or atrophic molecular factors in human muscle under supervision of collaborators. Second topic is neuromuscular physiology. We focused on neuromuscular function of human skeletal muscle during exercise using muscle functional MRI and surface EMG. Neuromuscular function as a result of fatigue, training, aging or development etc. are available topic.
Selected Publication
- Akima, H., Maeda, H., Koike, T., Ishida, K., Ando, R.: Comparison of fascicle behaviors between superficial and deeper muscles of triceps brachii during isometric contractions. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. (accepted for publication).
- Akima, H., Yoshiko, A., Ogawa, M., Maeda, H., Tomita, A., Ando, R., Tanaka, N.I.: Quadriceps echo intensity can be and index of muscle size regardless of age in 65 or more years old. Exp. Gerontol. (accepted for publication).
- Akima, H., Tomita, A., Ando, R.: Effect of knee joint angle on the neuromuscular activation of the quadriceps femoris during repetitive fatiguing contractions. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. (accepted for publication)．
- Akima, H., Tomita, A., Ando, R.: Effect of knee joint angle on the neuromuscular activation of the quadriceps femoris during repetitive fatiguing contractions. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. (accepted for publication).
- Ando, R., Taniguchi, K., Kikuchi, S., Mizoguchi, S., Fujimiya, M., Katayose, M., Akima, H.: Sarcomere length of the vastus intermedius with the knee joint angle change. Physiol. Reports 9:e14771, 2021.
- Shimizu, K., Shiozawa, K., Ishida, K., Saito, M., Akima, H., Katayama, K.: Age and sex differences in blood pressure response during hyperpnea. Exp. Phyisol. 106, 736-747, 2021.
- Akima, H., Yoshiko, A., Radaelli, R., Ogawa, M., Shimizu, K., Tomita, A., Maeda, H., Neske, R., Teodoro, J., Maeda, K., Tanaka, N., Pinto, R.S.: Comparison muscle quality and functional capacity between Japanese and Brazilian older individuals. PLoS One 15(12): e243589, 2020.
- Ogawa, M., Belavý, D., Yoshiko, A., Armbrecht, G., Miokovic, T., Felsenberg, D., Akima, H.: Effects of 8 weeks with or without resistance exercise intervention on the volume of the muscle tissue and the adipose tissues of the thigh. Physiol. Reports 8(18): e14560, 2020.