Intrinsic Ankle and Hopping Leg-Spring Stiffness in Distance Runners and Aerobic Gymnasts

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of intrinsic ankle stiffness to leg-spring stiffness in high level athletes using various musculotendinous solicitations. 8 aerobic gymnasts (G), 10 long-distance runners (R) and 7 controls (C) were evaluated using quick-release and sinusoidal perturbation tests in order to quantify their respective plantarflexor musculotendinous (SI _MT ), ankle musculoarticular active (SI _MA ) and passive (K _P ) stiffness. Leg-spring stiffness (K _leg ) was measured during vertical hopping. Runners and gymnasts presented significantly higher SI _MT values (P<0.01) than controls: 60.4 (±14.1) rad⁻¹.kg^2/3 for G, 72.7 (±23.8) rad⁻¹.kg^2/3 for R and 38.8 (±6.5) for C. In addition, normalized K _leg was not significantly different between G, R and C. It appeared that intrinsic ankle stiffness had no influence on leg-spring stiffness. The adaptation of SI_MT seems to concern specifically the active part of the series elastic component in runners. The results suggested that the number of stretch-shortening cycles during daily practice sessions, rather than their intensity, act as the determinant for this component.

Key words

musculotendinous elasticity - spring-mass model - hopping - elite sportsmen

References

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