Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo
This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius–Achilles tendon unit (gMTU) in vivo. Thirty-six healthy male and female adults without training experience and regular exercise habits were recruited. The architectu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-06-01
|
| Series: | Life |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/6/569 |
| _version_ | 1797529756236775424 |
|---|---|
| author | Liqin Deng Xini Zhang Songlin Xiao Baofeng Wang Weijie Fu |
| author_facet | Liqin Deng Xini Zhang Songlin Xiao Baofeng Wang Weijie Fu |
| author_sort | Liqin Deng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius–Achilles tendon unit (gMTU) in vivo. Thirty-six healthy male and female adults without training experience and regular exercise habits were recruited. The architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU were measured via an ultrasonography system and MyotonPRO, respectively. Independent <i>t</i>-tests were utilized to quantify the gender difference in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU. In terms of architectural properties, the medial gastrocnemius (MG)’s pennation angle and thickness were greater in males than in females, whereas no substantial gender difference was observed in the MG’s fascicle length; the males possessed Achilles tendons (ATs) with a longer length and a greater cross-sectional area than females. In terms of mechanical properties, the MG’s vertical stiffness was lower and the MG’s logarithmic decrement was greater in females than in males. Both genders had no remarkable difference in the AT’s vertical stiffness and logarithmic decrement. Gender differences of individuals without training experience and regular exercise habits exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU in vivo. The MG’s force-producing capacities, ankle torque, mechanical efficiency and peak power were higher in males than in females. The load-resisting capacities of AT were greater and the MG strain was lesser in males than in females. These findings suggest that males have better physical fitness, speed and performance in power-based sports events than females from the perspective of morphology and biomechanics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:19:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3f6cbe2f702141e397da0b05c4fa569a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:19:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-3f6cbe2f702141e397da0b05c4fa569a2023-11-22T00:33:13ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292021-06-0111656910.3390/life11060569Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In VivoLiqin Deng0Xini Zhang1Songlin Xiao2Baofeng Wang3Weijie Fu4School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, ChinaSchool of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, ChinaSchool of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, ChinaSchool of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, ChinaSchool of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, ChinaThis study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius–Achilles tendon unit (gMTU) in vivo. Thirty-six healthy male and female adults without training experience and regular exercise habits were recruited. The architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU were measured via an ultrasonography system and MyotonPRO, respectively. Independent <i>t</i>-tests were utilized to quantify the gender difference in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU. In terms of architectural properties, the medial gastrocnemius (MG)’s pennation angle and thickness were greater in males than in females, whereas no substantial gender difference was observed in the MG’s fascicle length; the males possessed Achilles tendons (ATs) with a longer length and a greater cross-sectional area than females. In terms of mechanical properties, the MG’s vertical stiffness was lower and the MG’s logarithmic decrement was greater in females than in males. Both genders had no remarkable difference in the AT’s vertical stiffness and logarithmic decrement. Gender differences of individuals without training experience and regular exercise habits exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU in vivo. The MG’s force-producing capacities, ankle torque, mechanical efficiency and peak power were higher in males than in females. The load-resisting capacities of AT were greater and the MG strain was lesser in males than in females. These findings suggest that males have better physical fitness, speed and performance in power-based sports events than females from the perspective of morphology and biomechanics.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/6/569gendermedial gastrocnemiusAchilles tendonarchitecturemechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Liqin Deng Xini Zhang Songlin Xiao Baofeng Wang Weijie Fu Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo Life gender medial gastrocnemius Achilles tendon architecture mechanical properties |
| title | Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo |
| title_full | Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo |
| title_fullStr | Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo |
| title_short | Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo |
| title_sort | gender difference in architectural and mechanical properties of medial gastrocnemius achilles tendon unit in vivo |
| topic | gender medial gastrocnemius Achilles tendon architecture mechanical properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/6/569 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT liqindeng genderdifferenceinarchitecturalandmechanicalpropertiesofmedialgastrocnemiusachillestendonunitinvivo AT xinizhang genderdifferenceinarchitecturalandmechanicalpropertiesofmedialgastrocnemiusachillestendonunitinvivo AT songlinxiao genderdifferenceinarchitecturalandmechanicalpropertiesofmedialgastrocnemiusachillestendonunitinvivo AT baofengwang genderdifferenceinarchitecturalandmechanicalpropertiesofmedialgastrocnemiusachillestendonunitinvivo AT weijiefu genderdifferenceinarchitecturalandmechanicalpropertiesofmedialgastrocnemiusachillestendonunitinvivo |