Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait?
Background: Within the exploration of human gait, key focal points include the examination of functional rockers and the influential role of tendon behavior in the intricate stretch–shortening cycle. To date, the possible relationship between these two fundamental factors in the analysis of human ga...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Healthcare |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/24/3142 |
| _version_ | 1797380889989087232 |
|---|---|
| author | Alejandro Núñez-Trull Javier Álvarez-Medina Diego Jaén-Carrillo Alberto Rubio-Peirotén Ferrán Abat Luis E. Roche-Seruendo Eva M. Gómez-Trullén |
| author_facet | Alejandro Núñez-Trull Javier Álvarez-Medina Diego Jaén-Carrillo Alberto Rubio-Peirotén Ferrán Abat Luis E. Roche-Seruendo Eva M. Gómez-Trullén |
| author_sort | Alejandro Núñez-Trull |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Within the exploration of human gait, key focal points include the examination of functional rockers and the influential role of tendon behavior in the intricate stretch–shortening cycle. To date, the possible relationship between these two fundamental factors in the analysis of human gait has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the morphology of the patellar and Achilles tendons and plantar fascia with respect to the duration of the rockers. Methods: Thirty-nine healthy men (age: 28.42 ± 6.97 years; height: 173 ± 7.17 cm; weight: 67.75 ± 9.43 kg) were included. Data of the rockers were recorded using a baropodometric platform while participants walked over a 10 m walkway at a comfortable velocity. Before the trials, the thickness and cross-sectional area were recorded for the patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia using ultrasound examination. The relationship between the morphology of the soft tissue and the duration of the rockers was determined using a pairwise mean comparison (t-test). Results: A significant difference was found for rocker 1 duration, where a longer duration was found in the group of subjects with thicker patellar tendons. Regarding the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, no significant differences were observed in terms of tendon morphology. However, subjects with thicker Achilles tendons showed a longer duration of rocker 1. Conclusions: The findings underscore a compelling association, revealing that an increased thickness of the patellar tendon significantly contributes to the extension of rocker 1 duration during walking in healthy adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-203321b87bd24421b798299d4fa4608f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:43:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-203321b87bd24421b798299d4fa4608f2023-12-22T14:11:56ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322023-12-011124314210.3390/healthcare11243142Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait?Alejandro Núñez-Trull0Javier Álvarez-Medina1Diego Jaén-Carrillo2Alberto Rubio-Peirotén3Ferrán Abat4Luis E. Roche-Seruendo5Eva M. Gómez-Trullén6Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainDepartamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainDepartment of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, AustriaUniversidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov A23 km 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainGrup de Recerca GRACIS (GRC 01604), Sports Orthopaedic Department, ReSport Clinic, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Escola Superior de Ciències de la Salut TecnoCampus, 08002 Mataró, Barcelona, SpainUniversidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov A23 km 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, SpainiHealthy, Research Group, Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainBackground: Within the exploration of human gait, key focal points include the examination of functional rockers and the influential role of tendon behavior in the intricate stretch–shortening cycle. To date, the possible relationship between these two fundamental factors in the analysis of human gait has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the morphology of the patellar and Achilles tendons and plantar fascia with respect to the duration of the rockers. Methods: Thirty-nine healthy men (age: 28.42 ± 6.97 years; height: 173 ± 7.17 cm; weight: 67.75 ± 9.43 kg) were included. Data of the rockers were recorded using a baropodometric platform while participants walked over a 10 m walkway at a comfortable velocity. Before the trials, the thickness and cross-sectional area were recorded for the patellar tendon, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia using ultrasound examination. The relationship between the morphology of the soft tissue and the duration of the rockers was determined using a pairwise mean comparison (t-test). Results: A significant difference was found for rocker 1 duration, where a longer duration was found in the group of subjects with thicker patellar tendons. Regarding the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, no significant differences were observed in terms of tendon morphology. However, subjects with thicker Achilles tendons showed a longer duration of rocker 1. Conclusions: The findings underscore a compelling association, revealing that an increased thickness of the patellar tendon significantly contributes to the extension of rocker 1 duration during walking in healthy adults.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/24/3142biomechanicsgaitlower limbrockertendon morphology |
| spellingShingle | Alejandro Núñez-Trull Javier Álvarez-Medina Diego Jaén-Carrillo Alberto Rubio-Peirotén Ferrán Abat Luis E. Roche-Seruendo Eva M. Gómez-Trullén Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? Healthcare biomechanics gait lower limb rocker tendon morphology |
| title | Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? |
| title_full | Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? |
| title_fullStr | Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? |
| title_short | Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait? |
| title_sort | does lower limb tendon structure influence walking gait |
| topic | biomechanics gait lower limb rocker tendon morphology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/24/3142 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alejandronuneztrull doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT javieralvarezmedina doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT diegojaencarrillo doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT albertorubiopeiroten doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT ferranabat doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT luiserocheseruendo doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait AT evamgomeztrullen doeslowerlimbtendonstructureinfluencewalkinggait |