Mechanical properties of the bicipital aponeurosis

Ocran E, Oliver M, et al.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

University of Guelph, University of Toronto

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study reports the first biaxial mechanical characterization of the human bicipital aponeurosis (BA). Square specimens (~7×7 mm) harvested from proximal, mid, and distal BA regions (n=8, elderly cadaveric donors) were tested along longitudinal (collagen-aligned) and transverse axes. The BA exhibited strong directional dependence: longitudinal stiffness and elastic modulus were significantly greater than transverse, and hysteresis was higher in the longitudinal direction, indicating substantial energy dissipation and non-elastic behavior. No significant regional differences in stiffness, modulus, or hysteresis were detected along the BA length. The authors conclude that the BA likely functions as a compliant, load-dissipating ‘sling’ that can divert load from the distal biceps tendon and influence supination mechanics, supporting its potential importance in distal biceps injury/repair modeling.

Planar biaxial tensile testing was performed using a CellScale BioTester 5000 Biaxial system. BA specimens were mounted using custom 4‑rake grips (5 tines per rake; 20 tines total) and aligned so the visible longitudinal collagen direction matched the x‑axis. A 10 mN preload was applied, followed by 10 sinusoidal preconditioning cycles between 0–9% biaxial strain (1%/s; 9 s stretch, 9 s recovery, 5 s rest). Samples were then biaxially loaded to 12% strain at 1%/s (12 s stretch, 12 s recovery, 7 s rest). Force and displacement were recorded at 15 Hz; stiffness and elastic modulus were computed from the linear region (R²≥0.95), and hysteresis was calculated from the loading–unloading area. Specimens were kept moist with saline throughout testing.

AUTHORS

Ocran, E., Oliver, M., Agur, A., Elmaraghy, A., Gordon, K..

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

University of Guelph, University of Toronto

COUNTRIES

Canada

INSTRUMENT USED

BioTester

TESTING METHODS

Biaxial TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingViscoelastic & Time-Dependent Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering & MechanicsTendon Tissue Engineering & Ligament Mechanics

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