Elongation differences between the sub-tendons of gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis during plantarflexion in different frontal plane position of the foot

摘要

Background: Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) act at the ankle complex in the sagittal and frontal planes and there is evidence that their actions can be somewhat uncoupled from each other. Some independence of GM and GL from each other could be advantageous, e.g. to stabilise the ankle complex in unstable walking conditions. Given the compartmentalised structure of the Achilles tendon, the sub-tendons of GM and GL may exhibit different elongation during plantarflexion contractions, particularly with the foot in different frontal plane positions.