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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(7): 552-558
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273756
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intrinsic Ankle and Hopping Leg-Spring Stiffness in Distance Runners and Aerobic Gymnasts

G. Rabita1 , A. Couturier1 , D. Lambertz2 , 3
  • 1National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, Research Department, Paris, France
  • 2Federal University of Pernambuco, Physical Education Department, Recife, Brazil
  • 3CNRS UMR 6600, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Technological University, Compiègne, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision February 13, 2011

Publication Date:
11 May 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of intrinsic ankle stiffness to leg-spring stiffness in high level athletes using various musculotendinous solicitations. 8 aerobic gymnasts (G), 10 long-distance runners (R) and 7 controls (C) were evaluated using quick-release and sinusoidal perturbation tests in order to quantify their respective plantarflexor musculotendinous (SI MT ), ankle musculoarticular active (SI MA ) and passive (K P ) stiffness. Leg-spring stiffness (K leg ) was measured during vertical hopping. Runners and gymnasts presented significantly higher SI MT values (P<0.01) than controls: 60.4 (±14.1) rad−1.kg2/3 for G, 72.7 (±23.8) rad−1.kg2/3 for R and 38.8 (±6.5) for C. In addition, normalized K leg was not significantly different between G, R and C. It appeared that intrinsic ankle stiffness had no influence on leg-spring stiffness. The adaptation of SIMT seems to concern specifically the active part of the series elastic component in runners. The results suggested that the number of stretch-shortening cycles during daily practice sessions, rather than their intensity, act as the determinant for this component.

Key words

musculotendinous elasticity - spring-mass model - hopping - elite sportsmen

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Correspondence

Giuseppe RabitaPhD 

National Institute of Sport

Expertise and Performance

Research Department

11 Av du Tremblay

75012 Paris

France

Phone: +33/1/41 74 44 71

Fax: +33/1/41 74 45 35

Email: giuseppe.rabita@insep.fr

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