Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon
Abstract Previous research suggests that the moment arm of the m. triceps surae tendon (i.e., Achilles tendon), is positively correlated with the energetic cost of running. This relationship is derived from a model which predicts that shorter ankle moment arms place larger loads on the Achilles tend...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88774-8 |
| _version_ | 1818858569567567872 |
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| author | A. D. Foster B. Block F. Capobianco J. T. Peabody N. A. Puleo A. Vegas J. W. Young |
| author_facet | A. D. Foster B. Block F. Capobianco J. T. Peabody N. A. Puleo A. Vegas J. W. Young |
| author_sort | A. D. Foster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Previous research suggests that the moment arm of the m. triceps surae tendon (i.e., Achilles tendon), is positively correlated with the energetic cost of running. This relationship is derived from a model which predicts that shorter ankle moment arms place larger loads on the Achilles tendon, which should result in a greater amount of elastic energy storage and return. However, previous research has not empirically tested this assumed relationship. We test this hypothesis using an inverse dynamics approach in human subjects (n = 24) at speeds ranging from walking to sprinting. The spring function of the Achilles tendon was evaluated using specific net work, a metric of mechanical energy production versus absorption at a limb joint. We also combined kinematic and morphological data to directly estimate tendon stress and elastic energy storage. We find that moment arm length significantly determines the spring-like behavior of the Achilles tendon, as well as estimates of mass-specific tendon stress and elastic energy storage at running and sprinting speeds. Our results provide support for the relationship between short Achilles tendon moment arms and increased elastic energy storage, providing an empirical mechanical rationale for previous studies demonstrating a relationship between calcaneal length and running economy. We also demonstrate that speed and kinematics moderate tendon performance, suggesting a complex relationship between lower limb geometry and foot strike pattern. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T08:58:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dba0f12dd4cf4ef3aa8ecd663a2628d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T08:58:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-dba0f12dd4cf4ef3aa8ecd663a2628d72022-12-21T20:28:33ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-04-0111111110.1038/s41598-021-88774-8Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendonA. D. Foster0B. Block1F. Capobianco2J. T. Peabody3N. A. Puleo4A. Vegas5J. W. Young6Department of Anatomy, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversitySchool of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversitySchool of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversitySchool of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversitySchool of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversitySchool of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell UniversityDepartment of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)Abstract Previous research suggests that the moment arm of the m. triceps surae tendon (i.e., Achilles tendon), is positively correlated with the energetic cost of running. This relationship is derived from a model which predicts that shorter ankle moment arms place larger loads on the Achilles tendon, which should result in a greater amount of elastic energy storage and return. However, previous research has not empirically tested this assumed relationship. We test this hypothesis using an inverse dynamics approach in human subjects (n = 24) at speeds ranging from walking to sprinting. The spring function of the Achilles tendon was evaluated using specific net work, a metric of mechanical energy production versus absorption at a limb joint. We also combined kinematic and morphological data to directly estimate tendon stress and elastic energy storage. We find that moment arm length significantly determines the spring-like behavior of the Achilles tendon, as well as estimates of mass-specific tendon stress and elastic energy storage at running and sprinting speeds. Our results provide support for the relationship between short Achilles tendon moment arms and increased elastic energy storage, providing an empirical mechanical rationale for previous studies demonstrating a relationship between calcaneal length and running economy. We also demonstrate that speed and kinematics moderate tendon performance, suggesting a complex relationship between lower limb geometry and foot strike pattern.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88774-8 |
| spellingShingle | A. D. Foster B. Block F. Capobianco J. T. Peabody N. A. Puleo A. Vegas J. W. Young Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon Scientific Reports |
| title | Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon |
| title_full | Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon |
| title_fullStr | Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon |
| title_short | Shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the Achilles tendon |
| title_sort | shorter heels are linked with greater elastic energy storage in the achilles tendon |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88774-8 |
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