Impact of latent myofascial trigger points in gastrocnemius on running biomechanics in runners : an observational study

Details

Supervisors

Nguyen, Anh Phong ; Broy, Christophe

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité
Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation
Master [120] en sciences de la motricité, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée: kinésithérapie musculo-squelettique

Abstract

Background: In our last study, we found that runners had more latent Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) in the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) than non-runners. Running performance could be impacted by several running biomechanical factors or by the plantar flexor’s passive stiffness. Objectives: 1. To observe a possible association of the presence of MTrPs in both GM and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) with these biomechanical factors but also with the passive stiffness on the MTrPs, the strength and the endurance of the plantar flexors. 2. To observe the possible link of the passive stiffness on the MTrPs with biomechanical parameters, strength, and endurance of the plantar flexors. 3. To observe a possible association of the strength and endurance of the plantar flexors with biomechanical parameters. Design: An observational study. Methods: ten healthy individuals were recruited (6 men, 4 women). Both GM and GL of both legs were assessed by an investigator to identify MTrPs before identifying the most painful MTrP. Then the passive stiffness was measured on the most painful MTrP and on a healthy site of each muscle. Strength was measured as the maximal voluntary contraction with the hip, knee and ankle bent to 90°. Endurance was measured performing the single heel rise test. Then, participants performed a five-minutes run at 50% of their maximal aerobic speed (MAS) as a warm-up, and then they ran at five different intensities from 60% to 100% of MAS in a randomized order, during 1 minute for each intensity. Biomechanical parameters were measured during this minute at each intensity. Findings: The total number of MTrPs, the passive stiffness and the plantar flexor’s strength and endurance showed several correlations with biomechanical parameters which could be related to running performance and running related injuries, such as braking peak force, propulsive impulse, or braking impulse. However, we cannot yet say if there is a real positive or negative impact of the MTrPs on running performance but passive stiffness on the MTrPs in the gastrocnemius muscles seems to be more strongly associated with biomechanical factors involved in a better running performance than passive stiffness on the healthy sites.