The effect of sex and localised fatigue on triceps surae musculoarticular stiffness |
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| Authors: | Aurélio Faria Ronaldo Gabriel Helena Moreira Tanya Camacho Rui Brás Massimiliano Ditroilo |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sport Science – CIDESD, University of Beira Interior, Covilh?, Portugalafaria@ubi.pt;3. Department of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health – CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal;4. Department of Sport Sciences, Exercise and Health – CIDESD, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal;5. Department of Physiology, Division Biokinetics and Sports Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa;6. Department of Sport Science – CIDESD, University of Beira Interior, Covilh?, Portugal;7. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland |
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| Abstract: | Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of fatigue on musculoarticular stiffness (MAS) of the ankle joint across sexes. Methods: Twenty-seven males and 26 females participated in the study. After baseline assessment of MAS and related variables, localised fatigue was induced in triceps surae using the standing heel-rise test during which the subjects were instructed to lift and drop the heel at a frequency of 0.5?Hz. When subjects were unable to continue due to exhaustion the test was terminated and another MAS test was performed soon after. Results: Significant higher triceps surae MAS was found in men compared to women (p?p??1 and from 14.5 to 13.9?KN?m?1 in men and women, respectively. Percentage changes revealed, however, that in relative terms the changes in all the variables evaluated were similar (p?>?.01) between sexes, with MAS less than 5%. Conclusion: Despite the sex-related differences at baseline, fatigue seems to affect biomechanical properties of the ankle joint similarly in men and women. |
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| Keywords: | Fatigue stiffness ankle gender muscle-tendon unit |
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