Longer Achilles tendon moment arm results in better running economy

Abstract

Based on the current literature, the link between Achilles tendon moment arm length and running economy is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further investigate the connection between Achilles tendon moment arm and running economy and the influence of Achilles tendon moment arm on the function of the plantarflexor muscle-tendon unit during running. Ten male competitive marathon runners volunteered for this study. The participants ran on a treadmill at two running speeds: 3 and 3.5 m s-1. During running the oxygen consumption, lower leg kinematics, electrical activity of plantar flexor muscles, and fascicle behavior of the lateral gastrocnemius were measured simultaneously. On the second occasion, an MRI scan of the right leg was taken and used to estimate the Achilles tendon moment arm length. There was a negative correlation between running economy and the body height normalized moment arm length at both selected speeds (r 5 -0.68, P 5 0.014 and r 5 -0.70, P 5 0.01). In addition, Achilles tendon moment arm length correlated with the amplitude of the ankle flexion at both speeds (r 5 -0.59, P 5 0.03 and r 5 -0.60, P 5 0.03) and with the electrical activity of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at 3 m s-1 speed (r 5 -0.62, P 5 0.02). Our finding supports the concept that a longer moment arm could be beneficial for distance runners.