Relationship between Connective Tissue Morphology and Lower-Limb Stiffness in Endurance Runners. A Prospective Study

Alberto Rubio-Peirotén, Felipe García-Pinillos, Diego Jaén-Carrillo, Antonio Cartón-Llorente, Ferrán Abat and Luis E. Roche-Seruendo
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Alberto Rubio-Peirotén: Campus Universitario, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
Felipe García-Pinillos: Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Diego Jaén-Carrillo: Campus Universitario, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
Antonio Cartón-Llorente: Campus Universitario, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
Ferrán Abat: Department of Sports Orthopaedics, ReSport Clinic Barcelona, University of Health and Sports Sciences, Blanquerna—Ramon Llull, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Luis E. Roche-Seruendo: Campus Universitario, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-10

Abstract: Background: The lower limb behaves like a spring compressing and decompressing during running, where lower-limb stiffness is one of the most influential factors. This prospective observational study is aimed at examining the relationship between the connective tissue morphology and lower-limb stiffness and investigating whether the barefoot/shod condition influences on such relationship. Methods: 14 male amateur runners (10-km time trial <50?) were included. Data were recorded over one session, where participants ran 2 trials (i.e., barefoot and shod conditions) of 3 minutes at 12 km/h, where running spatiotemporal parameters and vertical (Kvert) and leg stiffness (Kleg) were obtained. Prior to testing trials, thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA) were recorded for Achilles (AT) and patellar tendons (PT) and plantar fascia (PF) with ultrasound. Results: Under barefoot condition, a positive correlation was found between Kleg and AT-thickness and CSA and PF-thickness; and between Kvert and AT-thickness and PF thickness. Under shod condition, a positive correlation was found between Kleg and PT-CSA and PT-thickness, and between Kvert and PT-CSA and PT-thickness. Conclusions: The results reveal a specificity of the relationship between the lower-limb stiffness and the morphology of the connective tissue. Greater tendon shows higher lower-limb stiffness when that tendon is specially demanded by the function.

Keywords: foot behavior; tendon; stretch-shortening cycle; running (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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