Plantarflexor metabolics are sensitive to resting ankle angle and optimal fiber length in computational simulations of gait

Locomotor performance is associated with plantarflexor structure and function in both athletic and patient populations [1 –4]. Longer muscle fascicles allow sprinters to generate more joint power [5], which, in part, explains performance differences between good and great sprinters [6]. Tendon stiffness, a function of both its slack length and material properties, dictates the shortening demands of the plantarflexor muscles and impacts movement efficiency [7–9]. While these muscle-tendon parameters seem to explain functional differences in patient and athletic cohorts, the isolated effects of these structural measurements are difficult to elucidate due to variability inherent to in vivo research models.

Source: Gait and Posture - October 16, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Josh R. Baxter, Michael W. Hast Source Type: research