Isokinetic analysis of ankle and ground reaction forces in runners and triathletes

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 67; no. 9; pp. 1023 - 1028
• Main Authors: Luna, Natália Mariana Silva, Alonso, Angelica Castilho, Brech, Guilherme Carlos, Mochizuki, Luis, Nakano, Eduardo Yoshio, Greve, Júlia Maria D'Andréa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.09.2012; Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina / USP; Elsevier España
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Ankle - physiology; Ankle Joint - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Clinical Science; Female; Humans; Kinetics; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Muscle Strength - physiology; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Run; Running - physiology; Statistics, Nonparametric; Stress Fracture; Tibia; Tibia - injuries; Torque; Triathlon; Young Adult; Run; Triathlon; Stress Fracture; Tibia
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2012(09)07

To analyze and compare the vertical component of ground reaction forces and isokinetic muscle parameters for plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle between long-distance runners, triathletes, and non-athletes. Seventy-five males with a mean age of 30.26 (±6.5) years were divided into three groups: a triathlete group (n = 26), a long-distance runner group (n = 23), and a non-athlete control group. The kinetic parameters were measured during running using a force platform, and the isokinetic parameters were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The non-athlete control group and the triathlete group exhibited smaller vertical forces, a greater ground contact time, and a greater application of force during maximum vertical acceleration than the long-distance runner group. The total work (180°/s) was greater in eccentric dorsiflexion and concentric plantar flexion for the non-athlete control group and the triathlete group than the long-distance runner group. The peak torque (60°/s) was greater in eccentric plantar flexion and concentric dorsiflexion for the control group than the athlete groups. The athlete groups exhibited less muscle strength and resistance than the control group, and the triathletes exhibited less impact and better endurance performance than the runners.