title: Evaluation of the stiffnesses of the Achilles tendon and soleus from the apparent stiffness of the triceps surae.
abstract: The triceps surae plays an important role in the performance of many sports. Although the apparent average mechanical properties of the triceps surae may be a satisfactory parameter for estimating the training level of an athlete, a knowledge of the mechanical properties of the individual constituents of the triceps surae (in particular the Achilles tendon and soleus) permits a more detailed and in-depth control of the effects of training from more physically based parameters. The objective of this work is therefore the estimation of the individual viscoelastic properties (stiffness and viscosity) of soleus and Achilles tendon from the apparent properties of the triceps surae obtained by free vibration techniques. Different procedures have been developed and discussed, showing a high degree of robustness in the predictions. The results obtained for a non-oriented set of subjects present a high level of variability, depending on the training conditions and anthropometric features, although the corresponding average values compare well with data previously reported in the literature, particularly those associated with the tendon stiffness.
authors: Faculty of Sport Science, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: París-García
authors: School of Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain abc@esi.us.es.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Barroso
authors: University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Doblaré
authors: School of Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Cañas
authors: School of Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: París
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000502:physiology*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014783:Viscosity
keywords: Achilles tendon; soleus; stiffness; triceps surae; viscoelastic properties