Abstract
While individual ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness is related to training intensity and sport performances, sport athletes may develop specific passive joint stiffness among the spectrum from endurance to powerful types of sports. The objective of this study examined whether marathon runners, basketball players, and other sports athletes would demonstrate distinct passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness as well as vertical stiffness. Fifteen marathon runners, nineteen basketball players, and seventeen other sports athletes performed both joint stiffness measurement and single-leg hopping tests. We used a computerized dynamometer to control foot alignment and speed for passive ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness measurements. We calculated vertical stiffness by body deceleration and body mass displacement during hopping on the force platform. One-way ANOVA was performed to identify the group differences. Bivariate correlation test was also performed among ankle, metatarsophalangeal, and vertical stiffness. The basketball group displayed 13% higher ankle passive stiffness than the other sports players group (P = 0.03). Metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness in sitting and standing positions was 23% higher in the basketball group than the runner and other sports athlete groups (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant group differences in metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness and vertical stiffness. Significant correlations among all stiffness variables were determined (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint passive stiffness, rather than vertical leg stiffness, would be in relation to types of sports participation. Ankle and toe strengthening exercises could improve basketball players' performance and prevent injury.
Highlights
Ankle and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint passive stiffness is extensively assessed for various sport populations in both clinical and sport settings. e ankle and MTP joint passive stiffness is related to body balance and propulsion for locomotion [1, 2]. e ankle joint connects the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles via the large Achilles tendon, which provides powerful plantarflexion for propulsion
The participants seated on a height-adjustable bench such that the ankle, knee, and hip joints of both legs were flexed in 90° as the starting position for both ankle and MTP joint passive stiffness measurements in the sitting position (Figure 1(a), [14, 17]). e alignment in the transverse plane and height were adjusted so that both ankle joint and MTP joint axes aligned to the rotating axis of the dynamometer by the guidance of laser line projection
E present study sought to examine if runners, basketball players, and other sports players would demonstrate different ankle and MTP passive stiffness and Kvert. e present findings indicated that the basketball athletes exhibited 13% higher ankle passive stiffness than other sports athletes and that the basketball athletes demonstrated higher MTP joint passive stiffness compared to runners and other sports athletes
Summary
Ankle and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint passive stiffness is extensively assessed for various sport populations in both clinical and sport settings. e ankle and MTP joint passive stiffness is related to body balance and propulsion for locomotion [1, 2]. e ankle joint connects the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles via the large Achilles tendon, which provides powerful plantarflexion for propulsion. E ankle and MTP joint passive stiffness is related to body balance and propulsion for locomotion [1, 2]. It is believed that the leg muscles and the Achilles tendon can store elastic energy during the tendon elongation period and releases energy for push/take-off during running [3] and jumping [4]. After seven-week eccentric training of lower limb muscles, the passive stiffness of the ankle joint increased by 58% [5]. E increased passive stiffness would store greater amount of elastic energy at the ankle joint for enhancing athletic performances [6,7,8]. E MTP joint would allow the forefoot to generate forces by pushing against the ground during propulsion of walking and running [9]. Previous studies have suggested that the Journal of Healthcare Engineering toe flexor strength (MTP passive stiffness) is positively correlated with the efficiency of walking and running [10], impact attenuation during landing [9, 12], and horizontal jumping distance [6], as well as sprinting and standing board jump [13]. erefore, reliable measurement of the MTP joint stiffness would reflect the strength of toe flexor muscles, which has implications to toe muscle training regimes
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