Differences in plantarflexor function during a stretch-shortening cycle task due to limb preference

Most healthy humans move symmetrically at gross limb level but large kinetic and kinematic asymmetries have been observed at joint level during locomotion. The aim of this study was to assess muscle function asymmetries in healthy, active adults using an adapted force sledge apparatus which isolates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Laterality (Hove) 2015-03, Vol.20 (2), p.128-140
Main Authors: Furlong, Laura-Anne M., Harrison, Andrew J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Asymmetry
Biomechanical Phenomena
Dynamical systems
Extremities - physiology
Female
Functional Laterality - physiology
Humans
Injury
Limb dominance
Male
Movement - physiology
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Range of Motion, Articular
Reflex, Stretch - physiology
Running
Young Adult
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Summary:Most healthy humans move symmetrically at gross limb level but large kinetic and kinematic asymmetries have been observed at joint level during locomotion. The aim of this study was to assess muscle function asymmetries in healthy, active adults using an adapted force sledge apparatus which isolates the plantarflexors during a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) task. Peak force, rate of force development and SSC function of preferred and non-preferred limbs were assessed in 21 healthy, active individuals using the adapted sledge and three-dimensional motion analysis. Between-limb differences and relationships were determined using paired t-tests/Wilcoxon Signed-rank test, Cohen's d z , absolute symmetry index and Pearson's r/Spearman's rho. Significant differences with moderate effect size (ES) were observed in peak force (ES: 0.66), rate of peak force development (ES: 0.78), rate of force development in the first 50 ms (ES: 0.76), flight time (ES: 0.64) and SSC function (0.68), with no difference in contact time or duration of eccentric loading. A small ES (0.56) was observed in rate of force development in the first 30 ms. The upper range of asymmetry observed (up to 44.6%) was larger than previously reported for healthy individuals, indicating compensations occur at proximal joints during locomotion to ensure symmetrical movement.
ISSN:1357-650X
1464-0678
DOI:10.1080/1357650X.2014.921688