Next Article in Journal
The Role of Coronavirus RNA-Processing Enzymes in Innate Immune Evasion
Next Article in Special Issue
Which Body Density Equations Calculate Body Fat Percentage Better in Olympic Wrestlers?—Comparison Study with Air Displacement Plethysmography
Previous Article in Journal
Multiscale Models for Fibril Formation: Rare Events Methods, Microkinetic Models, and Population Balances
Previous Article in Special Issue
Acute Effects on Impact Accelerations Running with Objects in the Hand
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo

1
School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
2
Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Life 2021, 11(6), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060569
Submission received: 23 May 2021 / Revised: 15 June 2021 / Accepted: 15 June 2021 / Published: 17 June 2021
(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Exercise Biomechanics and Physiology)

Abstract

This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the medial gastrocnemius–Achilles tendon unit (gMTU) in vivo. Thirty-six healthy male and female adults without training experience and regular exercise habits were recruited. The architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU were measured via an ultrasonography system and MyotonPRO, respectively. Independent t-tests were utilized to quantify the gender difference in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU. In terms of architectural properties, the medial gastrocnemius (MG)’s pennation angle and thickness were greater in males than in females, whereas no substantial gender difference was observed in the MG’s fascicle length; the males possessed Achilles tendons (ATs) with a longer length and a greater cross-sectional area than females. In terms of mechanical properties, the MG’s vertical stiffness was lower and the MG’s logarithmic decrement was greater in females than in males. Both genders had no remarkable difference in the AT’s vertical stiffness and logarithmic decrement. Gender differences of individuals without training experience and regular exercise habits exist in the architectural and mechanical properties of the gMTU in vivo. The MG’s force-producing capacities, ankle torque, mechanical efficiency and peak power were higher in males than in females. The load-resisting capacities of AT were greater and the MG strain was lesser in males than in females. These findings suggest that males have better physical fitness, speed and performance in power-based sports events than females from the perspective of morphology and biomechanics.
Keywords: gender; medial gastrocnemius; Achilles tendon; architecture; mechanical properties gender; medial gastrocnemius; Achilles tendon; architecture; mechanical properties

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Deng, L.; Zhang, X.; Xiao, S.; Wang, B.; Fu, W. Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo. Life 2021, 11, 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060569

AMA Style

Deng L, Zhang X, Xiao S, Wang B, Fu W. Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo. Life. 2021; 11(6):569. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060569

Chicago/Turabian Style

Deng, Liqin, Xini Zhang, Songlin Xiao, Baofeng Wang, and Weijie Fu. 2021. "Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo" Life 11, no. 6: 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060569

APA Style

Deng, L., Zhang, X., Xiao, S., Wang, B., & Fu, W. (2021). Gender Difference in Architectural and Mechanical Properties of Medial Gastrocnemius–Achilles Tendon Unit In Vivo. Life, 11(6), 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060569

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop