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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273756
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Intrinsic Ankle and Hopping Leg-Spring Stiffness in Distance Runners and Aerobic Gymnasts
Publication History
accepted after revision February 13, 2011
Publication Date:
11 May 2011 (online)
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.kg2/3 for G, 72.7 (±23.8) rad−1.kg2/3 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 SIMT 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
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Correspondence
Giuseppe RabitaPhD
National Institute of Sport
Expertise and Performance
Research Department
11 Av du Tremblay
75012 Paris
France
Phone: +33/1/41 74 44 71
Fax: +33/1/41 74 45 35
Email: giuseppe.rabita@insep.fr