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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Effects of plyometric training on passive stiffness of gastrocnemii and the musculo‐articular complex of the ankle joint
Contributor:
Fouré, A.;
Nordez, A.;
Guette, M.;
Cornu, C.
Published:
Wiley, 2009
Published in:
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19 (2009) 6, Seite 811-818
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00853.x
ISSN:
0905-7188;
1600-0838
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
This study aimed to determine simultaneously the effects of plyometric training on the passive stiffness of the ankle joint musculo‐articular complex, the gastrocnemii muscle–tendon complex (MTC) and the Achilles tendon in order to assess possible local adaptations of elastic properties. Seventeen subjects were divided into a trained (TG) group and a control (CG) group. They were tested before and after 8 weeks of a plyometric training period. The ankle joint range of motion (RoM), the global musculo‐articular passive stiffness of the ankle joint, the maximal passive stiffness of gastrocnemii and the stiffness of the Achilles tendon during isometric plantar flexion were determined. A significant increase in the jump performances of TG relative to CG was found (squat jumps: +17.6%, P=0.008; reactive jumps: +19.8%, P=0.001). No significant effect of plyometric training was observed in the ankle joint RoM, musculo‐articular passive stiffness of the ankle joint or Achilles tendon stiffness (P>0.05). In contrast, the maximal passive stiffness of gastrocnemii of TG increased after plyometric training relative to CG (+33.3%, P=0.001). Thus, a specific adaptation of the gastrocnemii MTC occurred after plyometric training, without affecting the global passive musculo‐articular stiffness of the ankle joint.