Built for speed: musculoskeletal structure and sprinting ability

@article{Lee2009BuiltFS,
  title={Built for speed: musculoskeletal structure and sprinting ability},
  author={Sabrina S. M. Lee and Stephen J Piazza},
  journal={Journal of Experimental Biology},
  year={2009},
  volume={212},
  pages={3700 - 3707}
}
The musculoskeletal structure of the foot and ankle has the potential to influence human sprinting performance in complex ways. [] Key Method In this study, we measured the plantarflexion moment arms of the Achilles' tendon, lateral gastrocnemius fascicle lengths and pennation angles, and anthropometric characteristics of the foot and lower leg in collegiate sprinters and height-matched non-sprinters. The Achilles' tendon moment arms of the sprinters were 25% smaller on average in sprinters than in non…
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166 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
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Methods Citations
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166 Citations

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Citation Type

Ankle joint mechanics and foot proportions differ between human sprinters and non-sprinters
TLDR
Using magnetic resonance imaging, it is found that trained sprinters have shorter plantarflexor moment arms and longer forefoot bones than non-sprinters and that increasing the ratio of forefoot to rearfoot length permits more plantar Flexor muscle work during plantar flexion that occurs at rates expected during the acceleration phase following the sprint start.
Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance.
Adding Stiffness to the Foot Modulates Soleus Force-Velocity Behaviour during Human Walking
TLDR
This work investigated foot-ankle interplay during walking by adding stiffness to the foot through shoes and insoles, and characterized the resulting changes in in vivo soleus muscle-tendon mechanics using ultrasonography.
Foot structure is correlated with performance in a single-joint jumping task.
Plantarflexor fiber length and tendon slack length are the strongest determinates of simulated single-leg heel raise function
TLDR
A musculoskeletal model is developed in order to simulate the effects of muscle-tendon unit (MTU) parameters on peak plantarflexion during this clinically-relevant task and highlights the importance of preserving muscle fascicle and tendon length following Achilles tendon injuries.
Biomechanics of foot function in relation to sports performance
TLDR
This study demonstrated that individual sprinting performance may be improved by implementation of relevant shoe mechanical characteristics, and potentially suggests that sprint spikes do not minimise energy loss during sprinting.
Human ankle plantar flexor muscle–tendon mechanics and energetics during maximum acceleration sprinting
TLDR
It is concluded that tendon elastic strain energy in the ankle plantar flexors is just as vital at the start of a maximal sprint as it is at the end, and as it was for running at a constant speed.
Morphological and mechanical properties of muscle and tendon in highly trained sprinters.
TLDR
The tendon structures of highly trained sprinters are more compliant than those of untrained subjects for knee extensors, but not for plantar flexors, and a thicker medial side of knee Extensors was associated with greater sprinting performance.
Correlations between muscle-tendon parameters and acceleration ability in 20 m sprints
TLDR
The data underline that the influence of muscle tendon parameters on sprint performance could be better appreciated when peak values of power can be calculated rather than by considering the simple measure of average velocity.
Influence of joint angle on muscle fascicle dynamics and rate of torque development during isometric explosive contractions.
TLDR
The findings suggest that the dynamic behavior of muscle fascicles, and the associated fascicle shortening velocity, may influence the rapid force-generating capacity mainly from 100 ms of RTD onset.
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References

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