Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan, GIH

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Bilateral kinetic, kinematic, neuromechanical, and muscle-tendon properties of habitual runners
Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Department of Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics. (Biomechanics and Movement Control; Laboratoriet för biomekanik och motorisk kontroll (BMC))ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8720-1483
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Achilles tendon overuse-related injuries are a frequent problem to habitual runners. Such injuries occur more often unilaterally and its etiology is associated to overloading of the tendon tissue. Inter-limb differences during running are a possible cause for overload due to eventual differences in the mechanical loading provided to each limb. Furthermore, inter-limb differences in Achilles tendon properties were found in athletes due to sport-induced differences in the mechanical loading and in non-athletes due to limb preference. Currently, inter-limb differences in the Achilles properties of habitual runners is unknown. The present thesis investigated the existence of inter-limb differences in biomechanical, neuromechanical and Achilles tendon properties in habitual runners. In Study I, thirteen triathletes performed a cycle-run simulation while vertical ground reaction force (GRFv), lower limb kinematics and triceps surae and tibialis anterior activation were evaluated bilaterally during the start, mid and end stages of the 5 km running segment. In Study II, GRFv, lower limb kinematics, triceps surae and tibialis anterior activation and Achilles tendon strain were evaluated bilaterally in habitual runners at two running speeds (2.7 m.s-1 and 4.2 m.s-1). In Study III, spatiotemporal variables, vertical (kVert) and limb (kLimb) stiffness and center of mass (COM) kinematics were evaluated bilaterally in habitual runners at the same running speeds adopted in Study II. In Study IV, maximal plantar flexion isometric force, triceps surae activation and activation ratios, and Achilles tendon morphological, mechanical and material properties were evaluated bilaterally in habitual runners. In Study I the Soleus activation was lower in the preferred limb from 53.4% to 75.89% of the stance phase (p<0.01, ES range = 0.59 to 0.80) at the end stage of running. In Study II, hip extension velocity was greater in the non-preferred limb from 71% to 93% of the stance phase (p<0.01) during running at 4.2 m.s-1 while no other inter-limb differences were observed. In Study III, no inter-limb differences were observed in spatiotemporal, kVert and kLimb at investigated running speeds. However, COM horizontal velocity was greater from 67% to 87.40% of stance the phase (p<0.05, ES >0.60) when the non-preferred limb was in contact with the ground. In Study IV, no inter-limb differences were observed in triceps surae activation or Achilles tendon properties. The activation ratios of MG and SOL, however, were observed to correlate in the preferred limb only.

In summary, neuromuscular and kinematic inter-limb differences were observed when healthy, non-injured habitual runners performed in running conditions similar to their ecological conditions. Moreover, the Achilles tendon seem to adapt similarly among limbs of habitual runners, while triceps surae activation strategies might differ between limbs. Findings of inter-limb differences occurring during running may result in overload during running and therefore might be implicated in the etiology of Achilles tendon overuse-related injuries in habitual runners. Findings of similar tendon properties among limbs suggest both limbs have similar chances of incurring in the injury process.

Coaches and clinicians might improve current preventive strategies for Achilles tendon overuse-related injuries by monitoring tendon properties and running biomechanical and neuromuscular variables bilaterally across the season.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan, GIH , 2021. , p. 71
Series
Avhandlingsserie för Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan ; 19
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-6678ISBN: 978-91-986490-0-0 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:gih-6678DiVA, id: diva2:1554180
Public defence
2021-06-04, Zoom, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-05-12 Created: 2021-05-12 Last updated: 2021-05-17
List of papers
1. Running after cycling induces inter-limb differences in muscle activation but not in kinetics or kinematics.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Running after cycling induces inter-limb differences in muscle activation but not in kinetics or kinematics.
2021 (English)In: Journal of Sports Sciences, ISSN 0264-0414, E-ISSN 1466-447X, Vol. 39, no 2, p. 154-160Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Overuse injuries are a common problem to triathletes' population. Overuse injuries may arise from inter-limb biomechanical differences during running, but the literature lacks information regarding inter-limb differences in triathletes. In this study inter-limb differences were investigated in injury-free triathletes during the running portion of a simulated cycle-run transition. Thirteen triathletes performed a 5 km run preceded by a 20 min cycling trial at 70% of maximal power output. During the Start, Mid and End stages of running, kinetic, kinematic and muscle activation variables were compared between the preferred and non-preferred limbs across the stance phase. A statistical parametric mapping analysis showed no differences between limbs when considering kinetic and kinematic variables (p > 0.05, ES<0.60). A lower soleus activation was observed in the preferred limb (p < 0.05, ES>0.60) from 53.40-75.9% of the stance phase at the End stage of running. In conclusion, inter-limb differences in kinetic or kinematic variables may not represent a risk for overloading in triathletes. However, inter-limb differences in triceps surae activation during running after cycling may represent one potential factor leading to overuse injuries in triathletes and should be further investigated.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2021
Keywords
Bilateral, EMG, transition, triathletes, triceps surae
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-6286 (URN)10.1080/02640414.2020.1809176 (DOI)000560860500001 ()32814515 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2020-08-28 Created: 2020-08-28 Last updated: 2021-08-20Bibliographically approved
2. Inter-limb differences in vivo tendon behavior, kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation during running
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Inter-limb differences in vivo tendon behavior, kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation during running
2022 (English)In: Journal of Biomechanics, ISSN 0021-9290, E-ISSN 1873-2380, Vol. 141, article id 111209Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Overloading of tendon tissue may result in overuse tendon injuries in runners. One possible cause of overloading could be the occurrence of biomechanical inter-limb differences during running. However, scarce information exists concerning the simultaneous analysis of inter-limb differences in external and internal loading-related variables in habitual runners. In this study ground reaction force, joint kinematics, triceps surae and tibialis anterior activations, and medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon junction displacement were assessed bilaterally during treadmill running at 2.7 m.s-1 and 4.2 m.s-1. Statistical parametric t-tests and effect sizes were calculated to identify eventual inter-limb differences across the stance phase and stride cycle. Hip flexion angle was 9° greater (p = 0.03, ES = 0.30) in the non-preferred limb during the flight phase at 4.2 m.s-1. Hip extension velocity was 45 deg.s-1 greater (p = 0.04, ES = 0.41) during ground contact and 25 deg.s-1 greater (p = 0.02, ES = 0.41) immediately after toe-off in the non-preferred limb at 4.2 m.s-1. Hip extension velocity was also 40 deg.s-1 greater (p = 0.01, ES = 0.46) in the non-preferred limb prior to touch-down at 4.2 m.s-1. Brief inter-limb differences in joint kinematics were not accompanied by inter-limb differences in variables associated to internal loading, suggesting they are unlikely to be underlying factors leading to tendon overloading in healthy non-injured runners.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2022
Keywords
Bilateral, Plantar flexors, Runners
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-6676 (URN)10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111209 (DOI)35810654 (PubMedID)
Note

At the time of Tiago Jacques' dissertation this manuscript was submitted and under review.

Available from: 2021-05-12 Created: 2021-05-12 Last updated: 2023-01-16Bibliographically approved
3. Bilateral Investigation Of Spatiotemporal Variables, Vertical And Limb Stiffness, And Center Of Mass Kinematics During Submaximal Running
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bilateral Investigation Of Spatiotemporal Variables, Vertical And Limb Stiffness, And Center Of Mass Kinematics During Submaximal Running
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology; Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-6674 (URN)
Note

At the time of Tiago Jacques' dissertation this was a manuscript

Available from: 2021-05-10 Created: 2021-05-10 Last updated: 2021-05-12Bibliographically approved
4. Bilateral In Vivo Neuromechanical Properties Of Thetriceps Surae And Achilles Tendon In Runners And Tri-Athletes
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bilateral In Vivo Neuromechanical Properties Of Thetriceps Surae And Achilles Tendon In Runners And Tri-Athletes
2021 (English)In: Journal of Biomechanics, ISSN 0021-9290, E-ISSN 1873-2380, Vol. 123, article id 110493Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Inter-limb differences in Achilles tendon mechanical, material and morphological properties have previously been described in non-athletes and attributed to the preferential use of a given limb. Achilles tendon overuse tendon injury generally initiate unilaterally and alters triceps surae activation and Achilles tendon properties. The investigation of inter-limb differences in muscle activation and tendon properties may provide directions for injury prevention in habitual runners. In this study triceps surae and Achilles tendon properties were investigated bilaterally in habitual runners during unilateral maximal isometric contractions. Morphological, mechanical and material Achilles tendon properties were assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, motion capture and ultrasonography while triceps surae activation strategies were assessed using electromyography. Lower limb preference was assessed for inter-limb comparisons using the Waterloo questionnaire. Zero and one-dimensional statistical analysis and Cohen’s d were employed to investigate possible inter-limb differences. Inter-limb associations in Achilles tendon properties and intra-limb associations between triceps surae activations were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. No differences were observed between the preferred and non-preferred limb in terms of triceps surae muscle activation amplitude and Achilles tendon properties. However, intra-limb association among triceps surae activation ratios were not identical between limbs. Runners and triathletes present similar Achilles tendons properties between limbs, and thus initial observations of unilateral changes in the Achilles tendon properties might be used as a strategy to prevent the onset of overuse tendon injury. The non-similar associations within activation ratios between limbs should be further explored since triceps surae activation strategies may alter loading of the Achilles tendon.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2021
Keywords
inter-limb, running, overuse, injury
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Medicine/Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:gih:diva-6672 (URN)10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110493 (DOI)000664138000022 ()34000645 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2021-05-10 Created: 2021-05-10 Last updated: 2021-08-19

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Jacques, Tiago Canal

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