Comparison of Lower Limb Muscle Activity during Eccentric and Concentric
Exercises in Runners with Achilles Tendinopathy |
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Authors: | Jaeho Yu |
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Institution: | 1) Department of Physical Therapy, Sun Moon University, Republic of Korea |
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Abstract: | Purpose] This study aimed to identify changes in muscle activation by comparing muscle
activities of the affected side (AS) and non-affected side (NAS) during eccentric and
concentric exercises in runners with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy. Subjects] The
study included 18 participants consisting of men and women with chronic Achilles
tendinopathy in a single leg who had more than 1 year of running experience. Methods] All
subjects performed concentric and eccentric exercise with the Achilles tendon moving from
full plantar flexion to full dorsiflexion for 8 seconds, and electromyography data was
obtained. Results] All muscles examined showed a significant increase in %maximal
voluntary contraction (MVC) with concentric exercise compared with eccentric exercise.
Compared with the NAS, the AS showed significant increases in %MVC of the rectus femoris,
tibialis anterior, and lateral gastrocnemius. All interaction effects of exercise methods
and injuries showed statistically significant changes. Conclusion] Runners with Achilles
tendinopathy show increases in medial gastrocnemius activity when performing eccentric
exercise.Key words: Achilles tendinopathy, Eccentric exercise, Electromyography |
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