Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N=11, 10.30±0.07s; slow: N=7, 10.70±0.08s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p>0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components.

Original languageEnglish
JournalGait & posture
Volume34
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)138-141
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Research areas and keywords

  • Achilles Tendon
  • Athletic Performance
  • Fascia
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Running
  • Young Adult

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Citation