| Journal Title /掲載ジャーナル名 |
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise |
| Publication Year and Month /掲載年月 |
January, 2023 |
| Paper Title /論文タイトル |
Mechanical Lonkage between Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia Accounts for Range of motion on human Ankle-foot Complex |
| DOI /論文DOI |
10.1249/MSS.0000000000003020 |
| Author of Waseda University /本学の著者 |
SHIOTANI, Hiroto(Assistant Professor(without tenure), Faculty of Sport Sciences, School of Sport and Sciences):First Author, Corresponding Author |
| Related Websites /関連Web |
– |
| Abstract /抄録 |
PurposeThe human ankle–foot complex possesses a passive range of motion (ROM) through changes in tibiocalcaneal (θcal) and foot arch (θarch) angles. Based on the anatomical linkage between the Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF), we hypothesized that AT and PF with different mechanical properties conjointly modulate the passive ROM of the human ankle–foot complex. We examined the association of AT and PF stiffness with passive ankle–foot ROM and further addressed differences between sexes. MethodsA series of sagittal magnetic resonance images of the foot and passive ankle plantar flexion torque were obtained for 20 men and 20 women with their ankle–foot passively rotated from 30° of plantar flexion to 20° of dorsiflexion. Based on the measured changes in AT and PF lengths, θcal, θarch, and passive torque, AT and PF stiffness were determined. ResultsUpon passive ankle dorsiflexion, AT and PF were lengthened; their length changes were inversely correlated. Men showed a stiffer AT, more compliant PF, less calcaneal rotation, and greater foot arch deformation compared with women. Furthermore, we found inverse correlations between AT stiffness and ROM of θcal, and between PF stiffness and ROM of θarch in men and women. ConclusionsPassive AT and PF extensibility counter each other. AT and PF stiffness and passive ROM of ankle–foot components were countered between sexes; however, associations between stiffness and passive ROM of the ankle–foot complex were consistent between sexes. Our findings support the notion that the balanced mechanical interaction between the AT and PF can account for the passive ROM of the human ankle–foot complex in vivo, and the differences between sexes. |
