Assessment of the Pennation Angle of the Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle in Road Runners and Non-runners

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the pennation angle (PA) of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MGM) in orthostasis and bilateral maximum plantar flexion (BMPF) in road runners and non-runners.

Methods We assessed 31 runners and 31 non-runners from both genders between January and April 2019. We measured the MGM's PA on both sides by ultrasound during orthostasis and BMPF.

Results The groups were homogeneous regarding the dominant side, gender, and age. During orthostasis, the mean right-sided PA was 19.46° in runners and 22.5° in non-runners (p < 0.004). On the left side, the mean PA was 20.79° in runners and 22.83° in non-runners (p < 0.029). During BMPF, the right-side PA was 40.06° in runners and 40.89° in non-runners, and, on the left side, the mean PA was 40.01° in runners and 40.52° in non-runners. The MGM's PA of the right limb from male runners was statistically significantly higher in orthostasis (p < 0.029) and BMPF (p < 0.045). The correlation between MGM in orthostasis and BMPF in the leg in each group was statistically significant in the right lower limb of non-runners.

Conclusion Road runners presented a significantly lower MGM's PA than non-runners in orthostasis.

Keywords

motor activity - muscle contraction - muscle, skeletal - sedentary behavior - ultrasonography

Study developed at the Sports Medicine and Physical Activity Course, Sports Traumatology Center, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 18. April 2021

Angenommen: 25. Oktober 2024

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
15. April 2025

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