Contractile Work of the Soleus and Biarticular Mechanisms of the Gastrocnemii Muscles Increase the Net Ankle Mechanical Work at High Walking Speeds.

ABSTRACT: Increasing walking speed is accompanied by an increase of the mechanical power and work performed at the ankle joint despite the decrease of the intrinsic muscle force potential of the soleus (Sol) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscles. In the present study, we measured Achilles tendon (AT) elongation and, based on an experimentally determined AT force-elongation relationship, quantified AT force at four walking speeds (slow 0.7 m.s-1, preferred 1.4 m.s-1, transition 2.0 m.s-1, and maximum 2.6 ± 0.3 m.s-1). Further, we investigated the mechanical power and work of the AT force at the ankle joint and, separately, the mechanical power and work of the monoarticular Sol at the ankle joint and the biarticular gastrocnemii at the ankle and knee joints. We found a 21% decrease in maximum AT for

SUBMITTER: Kharazi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10295290 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature