Differences in lower extremity stiffness between endurance-trained athletes and untrained subjects

Hobara, Hiroaki; Kimura, Kozo; Omuro, Kohei; Gomi, Kouki; Muraoka, Tetsuro; Sakamoto, Masanori; Kanosue, Kazuyuki

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.08.002

Cited by 52 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The regulation of leg stiffness during hopping has been compared between endurance-trained athletes and untrained participants (Hobara et al, 2010). The endurance-trained group showed significantly higher leg stiffness than the untrained group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to strength training, endurance training has also been reported to affect these mechanical properties (Kubo et al, 2000, Hobara et al, 2010. More specifically, it has been reported that leg stiffness is greater in endurance-trained athletes than untrained participants due to ankle and knee joint stiffness (Hobara et al, 2010). The same trend (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…slope of stress-strain curve) of human tendon structures (Kubo et al, 2001, Reeves et al, 2003, Woo et al, 1980, muscle size (Kubo et al, 2002, Kubo et al, 2001, Narici et al, 1996 and tensile strength (Woo et al, 1980). In addition to strength training, endurance training has also been reported to affect these mechanical properties (Kubo et al, 2000, Hobara et al, 2010. More specifically, it has been reported that leg stiffness is greater in endurance-trained athletes than untrained participants due to ankle and knee joint stiffness (Hobara et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanical properties of the triceps surae: Differences between football and non-football players

Faria

Gabriel

Abrantes

et al. 2013

Journal of Sports Sciences

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We investigated the mechanical properties of the triceps surae between professional, junior, and nonfootball players. Fifty-nine men participated in this study. The mechanical properties of the right legs' triceps surae were measured in vivo using a free oscillation technique; no significant differences existed between the groups. The mean results for musculo-articular stiffness, damping coefficient, and damping ratio were as follows: professional football players (21523 N.m Thus, football training, football games, and the position played had no effect on triceps surae mechanical properties. These results may be attributed to opposing adaptations between different types of training that are usually implemented in football. Alternatively, the minimum strain amplitude and/or frequency threshold of the triceps surae required to trigger adaptations of mechanical properties might not be achieved by football players with football training and matches.3

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanical properties of the triceps surae: Differences between football and non-football players

Faria

Gabriel

Abrantes

et al. 2013

Journal of Sports Sciences

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“…Some cross-sectional studies indicate that both power and endurance training enhances K leg (Clark 2009;Harrison et al 2004;Girard et al 2010;Hobara et al 2008Hobara et al , 2010Laffaye et al 2005;Rabita et al 2008). Further, Kubo et al (2007) and Toumi et al (2004) demonstrated that K joint increases after various type of physical training including plyometric protocols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The stiffness of the leg spring (leg stiffness, K leg ) has been shown to increase with hopping height at a given hopping frequency (Farley et al 1991;Farley and Morgenroth 1999). Further, past findings suggested that endurance training enhances K leg (Girard et al 2010;Hobara et al 2010), but plyometrics training has a stronger influence on K leg than endurance training (Harrison et al 2004;Hobara et al 2008;Laffaye et al 2005;Rabita et al 2008). Thus, identifying the major determinant of K leg during hopping would be helpful in the development of more effective training methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinant of leg stiffness during hopping is frequency-dependent

et al. 2011

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Identifying the major determinant of leg stiffness during hopping would be helpful in the development of more effective training methods. Despite the fact that overall leg stiffness depends on a combination of the joint stiffness, it is unclear how the major determinants of leg stiffness are influenced by hopping frequency. The purpose of this study was to identify the major determinant of leg stiffness over a wide range of hopping frequencies. Fourteen well-trained male athletes performed in a place hopping on two legs, at three frequencies (1.5, 2.2 and 3.0 Hz). We determined leg and joint stiffness of the hip, knee and ankle from kinetic and kinematic data. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that knee stiffness could explain more of the variance of leg stiffness than could ankle or hip stiffness at 1.5 Hz hopping. Further, only ankle stiffness was significantly correlated with leg stiffness at both 2.2 and 3.0 Hz, and the standardized regression coefficient of ankle stiffness was higher than that of knee and hip stiffness. The results of the present study suggest that the major determinant of leg stiffness during hopping switches from knee stiffness to ankle stiffness when the hopping frequency is increased.

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Lower Limb Mechanical Properties

Pearson

McMahon

2012

Sports Med

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Limb stiffness or musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) has previously been examined in relation to performance and characterized using a number of different methods. However, the fact that MTS shows only low to moderate correlations to performances may indicate a lack of understanding of this parameter. In addition to this, variation is seen between studies examining the same factors. To date, our understanding of MTS and its components are not complete and thus it is unclear which characteristic value represents the ideal index of stiffness as it relates to performance. Moreover, it is uncertain how MTS stiffness as a functional measure relates to performance, and also if there is an optimal amount of MTS stiffness for specific functions or tasks. The knowledge of the interplay of MTU stiffness as it relates to performance and injury risk is also poorly understood in that there is likely a disparity between levels of stiffness required to optimize performance and those required to minimize injury risk. The aim of this article is to review the literature as it describes the components of MTS and to discuss these in terms of their relationship to functional performance; consider adaptations of the MTU with training along with associated performance changes; highlight and discuss how stiffness may affect loading of the soft and bony tissues in terms of the MTU components and gender, with respect to risk of injury; discuss the apparent differences in the literature regarding associations of the various forms of stiffness index to function; suggest recommendations for training in light of adaptation of the muscle and tendon and injury risk in context of gender; and, finally, to highlight potential limitations of current methodologies and suggest further work to gain insight into the mechanisms of stiffness. It is hoped that by suggesting future work, a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of MTS will be gained, thus enabling appropriate interventions to optimally modify this parameter for specific requirements.

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Differences in lower extremity stiffness between endurance-trained athletes and untrained subjects

Cited by 52 publications

References 31 publications

Mechanical properties of the triceps surae: Differences between football and non-football players

Mechanical properties of the triceps surae: Differences between football and non-football players

Determinant of leg stiffness during hopping is frequency-dependent

Lower Limb Mechanical Properties

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