Achilles tendon mechanical properties during walking and running are underestimated when its curvature is not accounted for

Tecchio, Paolo; Zamparo, Paola; Nardello, Francesca; Monte, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111095

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…During the trials, the Achilles tendon curvature was taken into account as described by Tecchio et al [ 16 ] using 6 markers along the Achilles tendon line of action. This marker configuration allows for a better representation of the Achilles tendon moment arm and mechanical behavior compared to other marker-sets (e.g., straight line).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gastrocnemius medialis MTU length was calculated according to the Hawking and Hull equation [ 20 ], by knowing the ankle and the knee angles during the stance phase. AT length was calculated by taking into account AT curvature (e.g., [ 16 ]) and the MTJ displacement was tracked manually frame by frame (Tracker, Physlets.org). At the end of these procedures, the GM MTU and the Achilles tendon length were obtained frame by frame during the entire stance phase.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the stance phase, the AT internal moment arm (IMA) was calculated in the sagittal plane, taking into account its curvature (e.g., [ 16 ]). AT IMA was defined as the minimal distance between the ankle joint center of rotation (identified with a marker positioned on the lateral malleolus) and the AT line of action, frame by frame.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition

Monte

Tecchio

Nardello

et al. 2022

Biology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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−1. 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.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition

Monte

Tecchio

Nardello

et al. 2022

Biology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A three-dimensional motion capture system (eight cameras; Vicon, Oxford, UK) was used to record the three-dimensional trajectories of 15 markers (a customized lower-body Plug-in-Gait, Vicon) at 200 Hz to obtain the angular data of the right knee and ankle, as well as the Achilles tendon (AT) line of action [19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In post-processing, the ankle joint moment (data provided by the software NEXUS and calculated using inverse dynamics) was divided by the AT (internal) moment arm to estimate the internal force acting along the Achille's tendon. In turn, the AT internal moment arm was defined as the minimal distance between the ankle joint centre of rotation (assumed at the level of the lateral malleoli) and the AT position, calculated by taking into account AT curvature based on the coordinates of five markers positioned along the tendon (as proposed by Tecchio et al [19]). Owing to the fixed-end set-up adopted in this study, the force acting along the AT line of action corresponds to that generated by all the plantar-flexor muscles.…”

Section: (D) Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Impairments in muscle shape changes affect metabolic demands duringin-vivocontractions

Monte,

Zamparo

2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The uncoupling behaviour between muscle belly and fascicle shortening velocity (i.e. belly gearing), affects mechanical output by allowing the muscle to circumvent the limits imposed by the fascicles' force-velocity relationship. However, little is known about the ‘metabolic effect' of a decrease/increase in belly gearing. In this study, we manipulated the plantar flexor muscles' capacity to change in shape (and hence belly gearing) by using compressive multidirectional loads. Metabolic, kinetic, electromyography activity and ultrasound data (in soleus and gastrocnemius medialis) were recorded during cyclic fixed-end contractions of the plantar flexor muscles in three different conditions: no load, +5 kg and +10 kg of compression. No differences were observed in mechanical power and electrophysiological variables as a function of compression intensity, whereas metabolic power increased as a function of it. At each compression intensity, differences in efficiency were observed when calculated based on fascicle or muscle behaviour and significant positive correlations ( R 2 range: 0.7–0.8 and p > 0.001) were observed between delta efficiency (ΔEff: Eff mus −Eff fas ) and belly gearing ( V mus / V fas ) or ΔV ( V mus − V fas ). Thus, changes in the muscles' capacity to change in shape (e.g. in muscle stiffness or owing to compressive garments) affect the metabolic demands and the efficiency of muscle contraction.

show abstract

ISB clinical biomechanics award winner 2023: Medial gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon interplay during gait in cerebral palsy

Cenni,

Alexander,

Sukanen

et al. 2024

Clinical Biomechanics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Achilles tendon mechanical properties during walking and running are underestimated when its curvature is not accounted for

Cited by 7 publications

References 41 publications

Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition

Achilles Tendon Mechanical Behavior and Ankle Joint Function at the Walk-to-Run Transition

Impairments in muscle shape changes affect metabolic demands duringin-vivocontractions

ISB clinical biomechanics award winner 2023: Medial gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon interplay during gait in cerebral palsy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About