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dc.contributor.authorCronin, Neil J
dc.contributor.authorHanley, Brian
dc.contributor.authorBissas, Athanassios
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-28T23:20:13Z
dc.date.available2021-06-28T23:20:13Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.identifier.issn8750-7587
dc.identifier.doi10.1152/japplphysiol.00310.2016
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/405430
dc.description.abstractRacewalking is a unique event combining mechanical elements of walking with speeds associated with running. It is currently unclear how racewalking technique impacts lower limb muscle-tendon function despite the relevance of this to muscle economy and overall performance. The present study examined triceps surae neuromechanics in 11 internationally competitive racewalkers (age 25 11 yr) walking and running on a treadmill at speeds between 4.5 and 13.8 km/h while triceps surae fascicle lengths, electromyography, and kinematic data were recorded. Cumulative muscle activity required to traverse a unit distance (CMAPD) was calculated for each muscle. Medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus fascicle lengths/velocities were determined using an automated tracking algorithm, and muscle-tendon unit lengths were determined. Running was associated with net shortening of muscle fascicles during stance, combined with substantial lengthening of the muscle-tendon unit, implying energy storage in the Achilles tendon. When the same participants racewalked at the same speed, the fascicles shortened (soleus) or lengthened (MG), coinciding with rapid shortening followed by a relatively small increase in muscle-tendon length during stance. Consequently, compared with running at the same speed, racewalking decreased the energy-saving role of the Achilles tendon. Moreover, CMAPD was generally highest in racewalking, implying that in individual muscles, the energy cost of racewalking was higher than running. Together these results suggest that racewalking is neurally and mechanically costly relative to running at a given speed. As racewalking events are typically between 10 and 50 km, neuromechanical inefficiencies that occur with each stride likely result in substantial energetic penalties.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherAmerican Physiological Society
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom101
dc.relation.ispartofpageto105
dc.relation.ispartofissue1
dc.relation.ispartofjournalJournal of Applied Physiology
dc.relation.ispartofvolume121
dc.subject.fieldofresearchBiological sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchBiomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode31
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode32
dc.subject.keywordsScience & Technology
dc.subject.keywordsLife Sciences & Biomedicine
dc.subject.keywordsPhysiology
dc.subject.keywordsSport Sciences
dc.subject.keywordsracewalking
dc.titleMechanical and neural function of triceps surae in elite racewalking
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dcterms.bibliographicCitationCronin, NJ; Hanley, B; Bissas, A, Mechanical and neural function of triceps surae in elite racewalking, Journal of Applied Physiology, 2016, 121 (1), pp. 101-105
dcterms.dateAccepted2016-05-23
dc.date.updated2021-06-28T23:04:37Z
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorCronin, Neil


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