Muscle Activity of the Triceps Surae With Novel Propulsion Heel-Lift Orthotics in Recreational Runners

Background The triceps surae muscle has been identified with propulsion during running gait, and typical heel-lift orthotics (THOs) have been used to treat some sports injuries of this structural-biomechanical unit. The effects of a novel propulsion heel-lift orthotic (PHO) on surface electromyograp...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sánchez Gómez, Rubén, Becerro De Bengoa Vallejo, Ricardo, Romero Morales, Carlos, Losa Iglesias, Marta Elena, Castrillo de la Fuente, Aitor, López López, Daniel, Díez Vega, Ignacio, Calvo Lobo, César
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/125862
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/125862
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:616.718.7/.9
triceps surae
propulsion
heel-lift orthotics
surface electromyography
Podología
3299 Otras Especialidades Médicas
Descripción
Sumario:Background The triceps surae muscle has been identified with propulsion during running gait, and typical heel-lift orthotics (THOs) have been used to treat some sports injuries of this structural-biomechanical unit. The effects of a novel propulsion heel-lift orthotic (PHO) on surface electromyography (EMG) activity of the gastrocnemius during a full cycle of running have yet to be tested. Purpose/Hypothesis We aimed to assess EMG changes in gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscle activity when wearing THOs, PHOs, or neutral sports shoes only (SO) during running. We hypothesized that EMG activity of the triceps surae muscle would be lower for PHOs than THOs or SO during running. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods A total of 26 healthy, regular recreational runners of both sexes (mean age, 33.58 ± 6.02 years) with a neutral Foot Posture Index and rearfoot strike pattern were recruited to run on a treadmill at 9 km/h using aleatory THOs of 6 and 9 mm, PHOs, and SO while EMG activity of the gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis muscles was recorded over a 30-second period. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess reliability. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient values indicated near perfect reliability, ranging from 0.801 for 6-mm THOs to 0.959 for SO in the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle. EMG activity of the gastrocnemius lateralis muscle was greater for PHOs (25.516 ± 4.780 mV) than for SO (23.140 ± 4.150 mV) ( P < .05), but EMG activity of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle did not show any statistically significant difference between conditions (23.130 ± 2.980 mV vs 26.315 ± 2.930 mV, respectively) ( P = .3). Conclusion A novel PHO may increase muscle activity of the gastrocnemius lateralis during a full cycle of running gait; consequently, its prescription to treat triceps surae muscle injuries is cautioned. Clinical Relevance The prescription of novel PHOs could increase EMG activity, which has not been previously described.