Different plantar flexors neuromuscular and mechanical characteristics depending on the preferred running form

Abstract

Two main types of endurance runners have been identified: aerial runners (AER), who have a larger flight time, and terrestrial runners (TER), who have a longer ground contact time. The purpose of this study was to assess the neuromuscular characteristics of plantar flexors between AER and TER runners. Twenty-four well-trained runners participated in the experiment. They were classified either in a TER or AER group according to the Volodalen® scale. Plantar flexors’ maximal rate of force development (RFD) and maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC) were assessed. Percutaneous electrical stimulation was delivered to the posterior tibial nerve to evoke maximal M-waves and H-reflexes of the triceps surae muscles. These responses, as well as voluntary activation, muscle potentiation, and V-waves, were recorded by superimposing stimulations to MVCs. RFD was significantly higher in AER than in TER, while MVC remained unchanged. This was accompanied by higher myoelectrical activity recorded in the soleus muscle. While M-waves and other parameters remained unchanged, maximal H-reflex was significantly higher in AER than in TER, still in soleus only. The present study raised the possibility of different plantar flexors’ neuromuscular characteristics according to running profile. These differences seemed to be focused on the soleus rather than on the gastrocnemii.