Functional Role of the Triceps Surae-Tendon Unit and its Contribution to Running Biomechanics
10.16156/j.1004-7220.2025.01.030
- VernacularTitle:小腿三头肌-肌腱复合体的运动功能及其在跑步生物力学中的贡献
- Author:
Liqin DENG
1
;
Xini ZHANG
1
;
Songlin XIAO
1
;
Weijie FU
1
Author Information
1. 上海体育大学运动健身科技省部共建教育部重点实验室,上海 200438
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
triceps surae;
tendon;
biomechanical properties;
running;
gait retraining
- From:
Journal of Medical Biomechanics
2025;40(1):223-230
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The triceps surae muscle-tendon unit(MTU)is the key for effective force generation,transmission,and energy storage and release in human movement,with great influences on sports efficiency,but its injury rate remains high.This review summarizes MTU function and its biomechanical adaptations during running,aiming to deepen the understanding of MTU's role in movement and explore how external factors influence its biomechanical properties,offering scientific insights for improving running performance and preventing injuries.During running,under forefoot striking and wearing shoes with greater stiffness,such as shoes with carbon plate,the energy contraction or return could be achieved through a more economical MTU behavior,namely reducing energy consumption by more economically muscle contraction and more energy storage of elastic elements,and the muscle contraction was exerted at a length closer to the optimal muscle fascicle length and reduced energy consumption caused by muscle contraction.However,adopting forefoot striking,barefoot running,or wearing minimalist shoes during running could increase the mechanical loads on the MTU.After gait retraining,the MTU could contract or return energy more efficiently during running,while the impact of other training methods on MTU was relatively poor,and the research in this area is still not sufficient.Therefore,future research should focus on optimizing the biomechanical properties of the MTU,MTU interaction and balanced development through changes in movement patterns,equipment,and training methods to enhance performance and reduce injuries.
