Huub Maas
General Interests
The overall objective of my research is to unravel the complex interactions between the musculoskeletal and neural systems during movement. For this purpose, both animal and human models are exploited. It has been my unique focus to study the mechanical and sensory action of skeletal muscles, not in isolation but in their in vivo context.
Achievements
I have contributed to (i) our understanding of the different pathways via which forces produced by muscle fibers are transmitted to our skeleton, in particular to the mechanisms and functional relevance of epimuscular force transmission; (ii) to the sensorimotor consequences of peripheral nerve injury and repair; (iii) to the mechanical and neural changes following an agonist-to-antagonist tendon transfer; (iv) to effects of spasticity on muscle morphology and joint mechanics; (v) our understanding of the neuromechanics of single finger movements.
I have supervised 5 PhD students and have (co-) authored over 60 papers in international scientific journals. I am serving on several editorial boards and I am a committee member of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme VENI of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.
Current Research
Currently my research is centered around four themes: 1) encoding muscle state and limb position by muscle sensory feedback, 2) hand and finger motor control, 3) three-dimensional tendon structure and mechanical properties, 4) effects of stroke on neuromuscular control and muscle mechanics.
Résumé
I obtained a M.Sc. (1999) and Ph.D. (2003) degree in Human Movement Sciences from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. After postdoctoral fellowships at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta (USA) and Northwestern University in Chicago (USA), I returned in 2008 to the Department of Human Movement Sciences of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam where I am currently an Associate Professor. I received the personal Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant (2007), the personal VIDI grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (2010) and I was a PhD supervisor in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programme Move-Age (2013-2018).
Personal news…
De achillespees bestaat niet, het zijn er drie
May. 2018 De achillespees blijkt complexer dan gedacht. Het is namelijk niet één pees, maar bestaat uit drie verschillende pezen die onafhankelijk van elkaar kunnen bewegen. Dit blijkt uit onderzoek van de VU onder leiding van onder meer bewegingswetenschapper Huub Maas.
Corporate news…
- There are currently no news available
Research…
Force transmission within the Achilles tendon
The aim of this project is to investigate the distribution of deformation within the Achilles tendon and its mechanical consequences.Functional implication of myofascial force transmission in hemophilia patients with severe joint damage
The aims of this project are: (i) to assess force transmission between muscles and with non-muscular structures within the leg, (ii) to assess adaptations in neuromuscular control of hemophilia patients with severe ankle joint damage.Interactions between disc degeneration and multifidus atrophy
The aim of this project is to understand how the mechanical effects of atrophy of the multifidus muscles, as observed in patients with low-back pain, interact with those of intervertebral disc degeneration. Disc degeneration reduces spine stiffness and may impair control over spine movement. Multifidus atrophy is assumed to result from nociceptive afference from spinal ...Neuromechanical responses to stroke in the rat
The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the changes in neural control of movement and secondary changes in skeletal muscle properties in response to a stroke.Understanding hand motor control
The aim of this project is to assess the contribution of neurophysiological and mechanical characteristics of our neuro-musculo-skeletal system to the limited independence of finger control.Unravelling the etiology of muscle injuries
The first aim of the research project is to characterize the activity of the hamstring muscles biomechanically and neurophsyiologically, during high speed running activities and injury prevention exercises. The second aim is to study muscle characteristics in athletes before and after a prevention program.
Network…
- No activities at the moment.
Excerpts of scientific work
For the complete lineup, refer to VU Research Portal
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Single finger movements in the aging hand: changes in finger independence, muscle activation patterns and tendon displacement in older adults
Van Beek, N., Stegeman, D. F., Jonkers, I., de Korte, C. L., Veeger, D. J. & Maas, H., May 2019, In : Experimental Brain Research. 237, 5, p. 1141-1154
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Neuromuscular control during gait in people with haemophilic arthropathy
Cruz-Montecinos, C., Pérez-Alenda, S., Cerda, M. & Maas, H., Mar 2019, In : Haemophilia. 25, 2, p. e69-e77
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Progressive adaptation of whole-limb kinematics after peripheral nerve injury
Chang, Y. H., Housley, S. N., Hart, K. S., Nardelli, P., Nichols, R. T., Maas, H. & Cope, T. C., 6 Aug 2018, In : Biology open. 7, 8, p. 1-8 8 p., bio028852.
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Myofascial Loads Can Occur without Fascicle Length Changes
Tijs, C., Bernabei, M., van Dieën, J. H. & Maas, H., Aug 2018, In : Integrative & Comparative Biology. 58, 2, p. 251-260 10 p.
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Distinct neural control of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the hand during single finger pressing
Dupan, S. S. G., Stegeman, D. F. & Maas, H., 1 Jun 2018, In : Human Movement Science. 59, p. 223-233 11 p.
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Time course of denervation-induced changes in gastrocnemius muscles of adult and old rats
Paudyal, A., Slevin, M., Maas, H. & Degens, H., 1 Jun 2018, In : Experimental Gerontology. 106, p. 165-172 8 p.
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Increased enslaving in elderly is associated with changes in neural control of the extrinsic finger muscles
Mirakhorlo, M., Maas, H. & Veeger, H. E. J., Jun 2018, In : Experimental Brain Research. 236, 6, p. 1583-1592 10 p.
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Effects of intervertebral disc lesion and multifidus muscle resection on the structure of the lumbar intervertebral discs and paraspinal musculature of the rat
Maas, H., Noort, W., Hodges, P. W. & van Dieën, J., 21 Mar 2018, In : Journal of Biomechanics. 70, p. 228-234
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Non-uniform displacement and strain between the soleus and gastrocnemius subtendons of rat Achilles tendon
Finni, T., Bernabei, M., Baan, G. C., Noort, W., Tijs, C. & Maas, H., 1 Mar 2018, In : Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 28, 3, p. 1009-1017 9 p.
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Time course of functional recovery during the first 3 mo after surgical transection and repair of nerves to the feline soleus and lateral gastrocnemius muscles
Gregor, R. J., Maas, H., Bulgakova, M. A., Oliver, A., English, A. W. & Prilutsky, B. I., 1 Mar 2018, In : Journal of Neurophysiology. 119, 3, p. 1166-1185 20 p.
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Activity patterns of extrinsic finger flexors and extensors during movements of instructed and non-instructed fingers
van Beek, N., Stegeman, D. F., van den Noort, J. C., H E J Veeger, D. & Maas, H., Feb 2018, In : Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. p. 187-196
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Understanding the constraints of finger motor control
Maas, H., Veeger, H. E. J. & Stegeman, D. F., Feb 2018, In : Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. p. 182-186
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Outcome of medial hamstring lengthening in children with spastic paresis: A biomechanical and morphological observational study
Haberfehlner, H., Jaspers, R. T., Rutz, E., Harlaar, J., Van Der Sluijs, J. A., Witbreuk, M. M., van Hutten, K., Romkes, J., Freslier, M., Brunner, R., Becher, J. G., Maas, H. & Buizer, A. I., 1 Feb 2018, In : PLoS ONE. 13, 2, e0192573.
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A musculoskeletal model of the hand and wrist: model definition and evaluation
Mirakhorlo, M., Van Beek, N., Wesseling, M., Maas, H., Veeger, H. E. J. & Jonkers, I., 2018, In : Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. 21, 9, p. 548-557
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Tendon displacements during voluntary and involuntary finger movements
van Beek, N., Gijsbertse, K., Selles, R., de Korte, C. L., Veeger, D. J., Stegeman, D. F. & Maas, H., Jan 2018, In : Journal of Biomechanics. 67, p. 62-68
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Mechanical Coupling between Muscle-Tendon Units Reduces Peak Stresses
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The importance of cutaneous feedback on neural activation during maximal voluntary contraction
Cruz-Montecinos, C., Maas, H., Pellegrin-Friedmann, C. & Tapia, C., Dec 2017, In : European Journal of Applied Physiology. p. 2469-2477 8 p.
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Evidence of adaptations of locomotor neural drive in response to enhanced intermuscular connectivity between the triceps surae muscles of the rat
Bernabei, M., van Dieën, J. H. & Maas, H., 5 Sep 2017, In : Journal of Neurophysiology. 118, 3, p. 1677-1689 13 p.
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Timing and extent of finger force enslaving during a dynamic force task cannot be explained by EMG activity patterns
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Musculotendon adaptations and preservation of spinal reflex pathways following agonist-to-antagonist tendon transfer
Lyle, M. A., Nichols, T. R., Kajtaz, E. & Maas, H., 1 May 2017, In : Physiological Reports. 5, 9, e13201.
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Longitudinal and transversal displacements between triceps surae muscles during locomotion of the rat
Bernabei, M., Van Dieen, J. H. & Maas, H., 15 Feb 2017, In : Journal of Experimental Biology. 220, 4, p. 537-550 14 p.
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Proefdieronderzoek in het Myologisch Laboratorium van de VU
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Anatomical parameters for musculoskeletal modeling of the hand and wrist
Mirakhorlo, M. M., Visser, J. M. A., Goislard de Monsabert, B. A. A. X., van der Helm, F. C. T., Maas, H. & Veeger, H. E. J., 2016, In : International Biomechanics. 3, 1, p. 40-49 10 p.
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Task-dependent activity of motor unit populations in feline ankle extensor muscles
Hodson-Tole, E. F., Pantall, A., Maas, H., Farrell, B. J., Gregor, R. J. & Prilutsky, B. I., 2012, In : Journal of Experimental Biology. 215, p. 3711-3722 12 p.
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Effects of tendon and muscle belly dissection on muscular force transmission following tendon transfer in the rat
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The mechanical effect of rat flexor carpi ulnaris muscle after tendon transfer: does it generate a wrist extension moment?
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Myofascial force transmission between transferred rat flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and former synergistic palmaris longus muscle
Maas, H. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2012, In : Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. 1, 4, p. 126-132
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Short-term motor compensations to denervation of feline soleus and lateral gastrocnemius result in preservation of ankle mechanical output during locomotion
Prilutsky, B. I., Maas, H., Bulgakova, M., Hodson-Tole, E. F. & Gregor, R. J., 2011, In : Cells Tissues Organs. 193, 5, p. 310-324
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Locomotor changes in length and EMG activity of feline medial gastrocnemius muscle following paralysis of two synergists
Maas, H., Gregor, R. J., Hodson-Tole, E. F., Farrell, B. J., English, A. W. & Prilutsky, B. I., 2010, In : Experimental Brain Research. 203, 4, p. 681-692
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Dynamic imaging of skeletal muscle contraction in three orthogonal directions
Lopata, R. G., van Dijk, J. P., Pillen, S., Nillisen, M. M., Maas, H., Thijssen, J. M., Stegeman, D. F. & Korte, C. L., 2010, In : Journal of Applied Physiology. 109, 3, p. 906-915
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Force Transmission between Synergistic Skeletal Muscles through Connective Tissue Linkages
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Patterns of motor unit recruitment in feline ankle extensor muscles during different motor tasks
Hodson-Tole, E. F., Gregor, R. J., Maas, H., Farrell, B. J. & Prilutsky, B. I., Jun 2009, In : Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A. Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 153A, 2, p. S124-S124
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Force summation between muscles: are muscles independent actuators?
Sandercock, T. G. & Maas, H., 2009, In : Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 41, 1, p. 184-189
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Distinct muscle fascicle length changes in feline medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles during slope walking
Maas, H., Gregor, R. J., Hodson-Tole, E. F., Farrell, B. J. & Prilutsky, B. I., 2009, In : Journal of Applied Physiology. 106, 4, p. 1169-1180
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In situ estimation of tendon material properties: differences between muscles of the feline hindlimb
Cui, L., Maas, H., Perreault, E. J. & Sandercock, T. G., 2009, In : Journal of Biomechanics. 42, 6, p. 679-685
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Implantable myoelectric sensors (IMESs) for intramuscular electromyogram recording
Weir, R. F., Troyk, P. R., DeMichele, G. A., Kerns, D. A., Schorsch, J. F. & Maas, H., 2009, In : IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. 56, 1, p. 159-171
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Synergistic and antagonistic interactions in the rat forelimb: acute effects of coactivation
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Is muscle-tendon unit length a valid indicator for muscle spindle output?
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Task Specific Expression of Sensory Loss Following Gastrocnemius Self-reinnervation in the Cat
Maas, H., Prilutsky, B. I., Nichols, T. R. & Gregor, R. J., May 2008, In : Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 40, 5, p. 64-65
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Modeling short-range stiffness of feline lower hindlimb muscles
Cui, L., Perreault, E. J., Maas, H. & Sandercock, T. G., 2008, In : Journal of Biomechanics. 41, p. 1945-1952
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Are skeletal muscles independent actuators? Force transmission from soleus muscle in the cat
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The effects of self-reinnervation of cat medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles on hindlimb kinematics in slope walking
Maas, H., Prilutsky, B. I., Nichols, T. R. & Gregor, R. J., 2007, In : Experimental Brain Research. 181, p. 377-393
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Mechanisms causing effects of muscle position on proximo-distal muscle force differences in extra-muscular myofascial force transmission
Yucesoy, C. A., Maas, H., Koopman, B. H., Grooteboer, H. J. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2006, In : Medical Engineering and Physics. 28, p. 214-26
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Intermuscular interaction between synergists in rat originates from both intermuscular and extramuscular myofascial force transmission
Maas, H., Meijer, H. J. M. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2006, In : Cells Tissues Organs. 181, p. 38-50
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Myofascial force transmission in dynamic muscle conditions: effects of dynamic shortening of a single head of multi-tendoned rat extensor digitorum longus muscle
Maas, H. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2005, In : European Journal of Applied Physiology. 94, p. 584-92
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Controlled intermittent shortening contractions of a muscle-tendon complex: muscle fibre damage and effects on force transmission from a single head of rat EDL
Maas, H., Lehti, T. M., Tiihonen, V., Komulainen, J. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2005, In : Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility. 26, p. 259-73
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Effects of prolonged exercise on proteins of the lateral force transmission chain (in Finish)
Lehti, M., Maas, H., Tiihonen, V., Huijing, P. A. J. B. M. & Komulainen, J., 2004, In : Exercise and Sport Science Reviews. 5, p. 43
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Muscle force is determined also by muscle relative position: isolated effects
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The relative position of EDL muscle affects the length of sarcomeres within muscle fibers: experimental results and finite element modeling
Maas, H., Yucesoy, C. A., Koopmans, H. J. M. F., Grootenboer, H. J. & Huijing, P. A. J. B. M., 2003, In : Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology. 125, p. 745-753
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Compartmental fasciotomy and isolating a muscle from neighbouring muscles interfere with extramuscular myofascial force transmission within the rat anterior tibial compartment.
