Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition
Walking at speeds higher than transition speed is associated with a decrease in the plantar-flexor muscle fibres’ ability to produce force and, potentially, to an impaired behaviour of the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) elastic components. This study aimed to investigate the ankle joint functional indexes...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/6/912 |
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| author | Andrea Monte Paolo Tecchio Francesca Nardello Paola Zamparo |
| author_facet | Andrea Monte Paolo Tecchio Francesca Nardello Paola Zamparo |
| author_sort | Andrea Monte |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Walking at speeds higher than transition speed is associated with a decrease in the plantar-flexor muscle fibres’ ability to produce force and, potentially, to an impaired behaviour of the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) elastic components. This study aimed to investigate the ankle joint functional indexes and the Achilles tendon mechanical behaviour (changes in AT force and power) to better elucidate the mechanical determinants of the walk-to-run transition. Kinematics, kinetic and ultrasound data of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) were investigated during overground walking and running at speeds ranging from 5–9 km·h<sup>−1</sup>. AT and GM MTU force and power were calculated during the propulsive phase; the ankle joint function indexes (damper, strut, spring and motor) were obtained using a combination of kinetic and kinematic data. AT force was larger in running at speeds > 6.5 km/h. The contribution of AT to the total power provided by the GM MTU was significantly larger in running at speeds > 7.5 km/h. The spring and strut indexes of the ankle were significantly larger in running at speeds > 7.5 km/h. These data suggest that the walk-to-run transition could (at least partially) be explained by the need to preserve AT mechanical behaviour and the ankle spring function. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:23:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc163a37aeb845f8aac8817eca1718e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:23:05Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc163a37aeb845f8aac8817eca1718e12023-11-23T15:40:24ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372022-06-0111691210.3390/biology11060912Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run TransitionAndrea Monte0Paolo Tecchio1Francesca Nardello2Paola Zamparo3Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, ItalyWalking at speeds higher than transition speed is associated with a decrease in the plantar-flexor muscle fibres’ ability to produce force and, potentially, to an impaired behaviour of the muscle–tendon unit (MTU) elastic components. This study aimed to investigate the ankle joint functional indexes and the Achilles tendon mechanical behaviour (changes in AT force and power) to better elucidate the mechanical determinants of the walk-to-run transition. Kinematics, kinetic and ultrasound data of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) were investigated during overground walking and running at speeds ranging from 5–9 km·h<sup>−1</sup>. AT and GM MTU force and power were calculated during the propulsive phase; the ankle joint function indexes (damper, strut, spring and motor) were obtained using a combination of kinetic and kinematic data. AT force was larger in running at speeds > 6.5 km/h. The contribution of AT to the total power provided by the GM MTU was significantly larger in running at speeds > 7.5 km/h. The spring and strut indexes of the ankle were significantly larger in running at speeds > 7.5 km/h. These data suggest that the walk-to-run transition could (at least partially) be explained by the need to preserve AT mechanical behaviour and the ankle spring function.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/6/912joint functionlocomotionelastic energymuscle–tendon behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Monte Paolo Tecchio Francesca Nardello Paola Zamparo Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition Biology joint function locomotion elastic energy muscle–tendon behaviour |
| title | Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition |
| title_full | Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition |
| title_fullStr | Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition |
| title_short | Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition |
| title_sort | achilles tendon mechanical behavior and ankle joint function at the walk to run transition |
| topic | joint function locomotion elastic energy muscle–tendon behaviour |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/11/6/912 |
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