MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE FUNCTION ADAPTATION DURING SINGLE-LEG HOPPING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were changes to leg mechanics and muscle activation characteristics as fatigue increased during single-leg hopping. Twenty-seven healthy male participants performed three single-leg hopping (2.2 Hz) trials, each to volitional exhaustion on a forceplate, using either placebo, visual or tactile feedback to control the vertical height of hopping. Spatiotemporal, leg mechanical and muscle activation characteristics of the lower limb muscles were determined. Mean activation amplitude of the MG during the anticipatory period prior to initial contact significantly decreased from the start to end hopping periods when visual or tactile feedback was provided (p<0.01) and no significant change in the vertical displacement of the COM was observed (p=0.25; p=0.93).