Increased toe-flexor muscle strength does not alter metatarsophalangeal and ankle joint mechanics or running economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (23) ◽  
pp. 2702-2710
Author(s):  
Evan M. Day ◽  
Michael E. Hahn
2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1735) ◽  
pp. 2018-2024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh R. Baxter ◽  
Thomas A. Novack ◽  
Herman Van Werkhoven ◽  
David R. Pennell ◽  
Stephen J. Piazza

Recent studies of sprinters and distance runners have suggested that variations in human foot proportions and plantarflexor muscle moment arm correspond to the level of sprint performance or running economy. Less clear, however, is whether differences in muscle moment arm are mediated by altered tendon paths or by variation in the centre of ankle joint rotation. Previous measurements of these differences have relied upon assumed joint centres and measurements of bone geometry made externally, such that they would be affected by the thickness of the overlying soft tissue. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we found that trained sprinters have shorter plantarflexor moment arms ( p = 0.011) and longer forefoot bones ( p = 0.019) than non-sprinters. The shorter moment arms of sprinters are attributable to differences in the location of the centre of rotation ( p < 0.001) rather than to differences in the path of the Achilles tendon. A simple computer model suggests that increasing the ratio of forefoot to rearfoot length permits more plantarflexor muscle work during plantarflexion that occurs at rates expected during the acceleration phase following the sprint start.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39
Author(s):  
Carter J. Kerk ◽  
Don B. Chaffin ◽  
W. Monroe Keyserling

The stability constraints of a two-dimensional static human force exertion capability model (2DHFEC) were evaluated with subjects of varying anthropometry and strength capabilities performing manual exertions. The biomechanical model comprehensively estimated human force exertion capability under sagittally symmetric static conditions using constraints from three classes: stability, joint muscle strength, and coefficient of friction. Experimental results showed the concept of stability must be considered with joint muscle strength capability and coefficient of friction in predicting hand force exertion capability. Information was gained concerning foot modeling parameters as they affect whole-body stability. Findings indicated that stability limits should be placed approximately 37 % the ankle joint center to the posterior-most point of the foot and 130 % the distance from the ankle joint center to the maximal medial protuberance (the ball of the foot). 2DHFEC provided improvements over existing models, especially where horizontal push/pull forces create balance concerns.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110054
Author(s):  
Benoit Gillet ◽  
Yoann Blache ◽  
Isabelle Rogowski ◽  
Grégory Vigne ◽  
Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet ◽  
...  

Background: To reduce the rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, recent surgeries have involved anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR). This reconstruction procedure harvests more knee flexor muscle tendons than isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but its influence on knee muscle strength recovery remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of ALLR with a gracilis graft on the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles at 6 months postoperatively. Hypothesis: The additional amount of knee flexor harvest for ALLR would result in impairment in knee flexor muscle strength at 6 months postoperatively. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: A total of 186 patients were assigned to 2 groups according to the type of surgery: ACL + ALLR (graft: semitendinosus + gracilis, n = 119) or isolated ACLR (graft: semitendinosus, n = 67). The strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at 90, 180, and 240 deg/s for concentric and 30 deg/s for eccentric contractions and compared between groups using analysis of variance statistical parametric mapping. Results: Regardless of the surgery and the muscle, the injured leg produced significantly less strength than the uninjured leg throughout knee flexion and extension from 30° to 90° for each angular velocity (30, 90, 180, and 240 deg/s). However, the knee muscle strength was similar between the ACL + ALLR and ACLR groups. Conclusion: The addition of ALLR using the gracilis tendon during ACLR does not alter the muscle recovery observed at 6 months postoperatively. Clinical Relevance: Although more knee flexor muscle tendons were harvested in ACL + ALLR, the postoperative strength recovery was similar to that of isolated ACLR.


2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (12) ◽  
pp. 1774-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Roig ◽  
Janice J. Eng ◽  
Donna L. MacIntyre ◽  
Jeremy D. Road ◽  
W. Darlene Reid

Background The Stair Climb Power Test (SCPT) is a functional test associated with leg muscle power in older people. Objective The purposes of this study were to compare the results of the SCPT in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who were healthy and to explore associations of the SCPT with muscle strength (force-generating capacity) and functional performance. Design The study was a cross-sectional investigation. Methods Twenty-one people with COPD and a predicted mean (SD) percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 47.2 (12.9) and 21 people who were healthy and matched for age, sex, and body mass were tested with the SCPT. Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer. Functional performance was assessed with the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Results People with COPD showed lower values on the SCPT (28%) and all torque measures (∼32%), except for eccentric knee flexor muscle torque. In people with COPD, performance on the TUG and 6MWT was lower by 23% and 28%, respectively. In people with COPD, the SCPT was moderately associated with knee extensor muscle isometric and eccentric torque (r≥.46) and strongly associated (r=.68) with the 6MWT. In people who were healthy, the association of the SCPT with knee extensor muscle torque tended to be stronger (r≥.66); however, no significant relationship between the SCPT and measures of functional performance was found. Limitations The observational design of the study and the use of a relatively small convenience sample limit the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions The SCPT is a simple and safe test associated with measures of functional performance in people with COPD. People with COPD show deficits on the SCPT. However, the SCPT is only moderately associated with muscle torque and thus cannot be used as a simple surrogate for muscle strength in people with COPD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriteru Morita ◽  
Junichiro Yamauchi ◽  
Ryosuke Fukuoka ◽  
Toshiyuki Kurihara ◽  
Mitsuo Otsuka ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-499
Author(s):  
Sibel Bozgeyik ◽  
İpek Alemdaroğlu ◽  
Numan Bulut ◽  
Öznur Yılmaz ◽  
Ayşe Karaduman

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ani Agopyan

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bilateral isokinetic knee extensor and flexor muscle strength relative to hamstring flexibility in female modern dancers. METHODS: 20 trained university-level female modern dance students (mean age 23.8±3.8 yrs) volunteered for the study. Concentric isokinetic peak torque (PT, in Nm), peak torque % of body weight (PT%BW, in Nm/kg), and total work (TW, in J) of the knee extensor and flexor muscles for each leg were measured with a dynamometer at a velocity of 60, 180, and 300°/s. Hamstring flexibility of both limbs was assessed by a goniometer with the subjects in a supine position using the active straight leg raise (SLR) test. Participants were divided into flexible (n=10) and highly flexible (n=10) groups based on their hamstring flexibility. RESULTS: The flexible and highly flexible groups had significant differences (p≤0.05) for the right (flexible, 119.7±4.3°; highly flexible, 137.7±2.6°) and left active SLR tests (flexible, 120.6±5.3°; highly flexible, 138.3±4.5°). No significant differences were found between the flexible and highly flexible dancers for concentric knee extensor and flexor muscle strength in all selected parameters (p≤0.05). There were also no significant correlations between flexibility and bilateral PT, PT%BW, and TW scores (60, 180, and 300°/s) of dancers at the concentric contraction (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that hamstring flexibility (for both the flexible and highly flexible groups) is not correlated with knee strength and has no impact on torque and work production during maximal concentric isokinetic knee muscle action in university-level female modern dancers.


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