Tendon length and joint flexibility are related to running economy.

PURPOSE The purpose of study was to determine whether quadriceps/patella and Achilles tendon length and flexibility of the knee extensors and plantar flexors are related to walking and running economy. METHODS Twenty-one male distance runners were subjects. Quadriceps/patella and Achilles tendon length were measured by magnetic resonance imaging; body composition was measured DXA; oxygen uptake at rest while seated, walking (3 mph), and running (6 and 7 mph) were measured by indirect calorimetry; knee and ankle joint flexibility were measured by goniometry; and leg lengths were measured by anthropometry while seated. Correlations were used to identify relationships between variables of interest. RESULTS Net VO2 (exercise VO2 - rest VO2) for walking (NVOWK) and running at 6 and 7 mph (NVO6 and NVO7, respectively) was significantly related to Achilles tendon length (r varying from -0.40 to -0.51, P all < 0.04). Achilles tendon cross section was not related to walking or running economy. Quadriceps/patella tendon length was significantly related to NVO7 (r = -0.43, P = 0.03) and approached significance for NVO6 (r = -0.36, P = 0.06). Flexibility of the plantar flexors was related to NVO7 (+0.38, P = 0.05). Multiple regression showed that Achilles tendon length was independently related to NVO6 and NVO7 (partial r varying from -0.53 to -0.64, all P < 0.02) independent of lower leg length, upper leg length, quadriceps/patella tendon length, knee extension flexibility, or plantarflexion flexibility. CONCLUSIONS These data support the premise that longer lower limb tendons (especially Achilles tendon) and less flexible lower limb joints are associated with improved running economy.

[1]  J. Helgerud,et al.  Early Postoperative Maximal Strength Training Improves Work Efficiency 6–12 Months after Osteoarthritis-Induced Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Younger Than 60 Years , 2010, American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation.

[2]  Gary R. Hunter,et al.  Increased strength and decreased flexibility are related to reduced oxygen cost of walking , 2008, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[3]  A. Arampatzis,et al.  Influence of the muscle-tendon unit's mechanical and morphological properties on running economy , 2006, Journal of Experimental Biology.

[4]  G. Hunter,et al.  ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN TRICEPS SURAE MUSCLE‐TENDON COMPLEX AND WALKING ECONOMY , 2006, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[5]  Richard R Neptune,et al.  Muscle mechanical work and elastic energy utilization during walking and running near the preferred gait transition speed. , 2006, Gait & posture.

[6]  E. Ravussin,et al.  Reproducibility of endurance performance on a treadmill using a preloaded time trial. , 2004, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[7]  T. Roberts.  The integrated function of muscles and tendons during locomotion. , 2002, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology.

[8]  T. Fukunaga,et al.  Muscle and Tendon Interaction During Human Movements , 2002, Exercise and sport sciences reviews.

[9]  A M Jones,et al.  Running Economy is Negatively Related to Sit-and-Reach Test Performance in International-Standard Distance Runners , 2002, International journal of sports medicine.

[10]  M. Bobbert,et al.  Mechanics of human triceps surae muscle in walking, running and jumping. , 2002, Acta physiologica Scandinavica.

[11]  G. Hunter,et al.  Muscle metabolic economy is inversely related to exercise intensity and type II myofiber distribution , 2001, Muscle & nerve.

[12]  T Abe,et al.  Relationship between sprint performance and muscle fascicle length in female sprinters. , 2001, Journal of physiological anthropology and applied human science.

[13]  T. Fukunaga,et al.  In vivo behaviour of human muscle tendon during walking , 2001, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences.

[14]  T Fukunaga,et al.  In vivo dynamics of human medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon complex during stretch-shortening cycle exercise. , 2000, Acta physiologica Scandinavica.

[15]  A A Biewener,et al.  Muscle and Tendon Contributions to Force, Work, and Elastic Energy Savings: A Comparative Perspective , 2000, Exercise and sport sciences reviews.

[16]  T Abe,et al.  Sprint performance is related to muscle fascicle length in male 100-m sprinters. , 1999, Journal of applied physiology.

[17]  U. Wisløff,et al.  Maximal strength training improves work economy in trained female cross-country skiers. , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[18]  A. Biewener.  Muscle Function in vivo: A Comparison of Muscles used for Elastic Energy Savings versus Muscles Used to Generate Mechanical Power1 , 1998 .

[19]  A. Biewener,et al.  In vivo muscle force-length behavior during steady-speed hopping in tammar wallabies. , 1998, The Journal of experimental biology.

[20]  T. Quinn,et al.  Strength Training in Female Distance Runners: Impact on Running Economy , 1997 .

[21]  R. Balaban,et al.  Efficiency of human skeletal muscle in vivo: comparison of isometric, concentric, and eccentric muscle action. , 1997, Journal of applied physiology.

[22]  T J Roberts,et al.  Muscular Force in Running Turkeys: The Economy of Minimizing Work , 1997, Science.

[23]  D. Morgan,et al.  The association between flexibility and running economy in sub-elite male distance runners. , 1996, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[24]  E. Coyle,et al.  Cycling efficiency is related to the percentage of type I muscle fibers. , 1992, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[25]  J A Nicholas,et al.  The influence of flexibility on the economy of walking and jogging , 1990, Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

[26]  A J van Soest,et al.  The role of series elastic structures in prestretch-induced work enhancement during isotonic and isokinetic contractions. , 1990, The Journal of experimental biology.

[27]  G J van Ingen Schenau,et al.  Effects of prestretch at the onset of stimulation on mechanical work output of rat medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon complex. , 1990, The Journal of experimental biology.

[28]  P. Withagen,et al.  Assessment of body composition in 8-11 year old children by bioelectrical impedance. , 1989, European journal of clinical nutrition.

[29]  S. Yamasaki,et al.  Interpretation of 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of amorphous hydrogenated silicon , 1986 .

[30]  J. Henriksson,et al.  Muscle ATP turnover rate during isometric contraction in humans. , 1986, Journal of applied physiology.

[31]  V. Edgerton,et al.  Muscle architecture of the human lower limb. , 1983, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[32]  J. van den Berg,et al.  Calf muscle moment, work and efficiency in level walking; role of series elasticity. , 1983, Journal of biomechanics.

[33]  E. Asmussen,et al.  Apparent efficiency and storage of elastic energy in human muscles during exercise. , 1974, Acta physiologica Scandinavica.

[34]  C. R. Taylor,et al.  Energetic Cost of Locomotion in Kangaroos , 1973, Nature.