Table 5.
Muscle–tendon unit (MTU) length change parameters of the plantar flexors (mean ± s.d.). Values in italics are significant p-values (<0.05).
| MTU | parameter | young | adult | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medial gastrocnemius | stretching (mm) | 19.6 ± 3.6 | 19.4 ± 2.9 | 0.805 |
| stretching time (ms) | 135.8 ± 33.4 | 116.5 ± 33.8 | 0.092 | |
| shortening (mm) | 27.1 ± 8.2a | 33.2 ± 4.5 | 0.011 | |
| shortening time (ms) | 62.5 ± 25.0 | 73.5 ± 36.9 | 0.286 | |
| maximal shortening velocity (mm ms−1) | 0.72 ± 0.18a | 0.85 ± 0.11 | 0.017 | |
| lateral gastrocnemius | stretching (mm) | 19.5 ± 3.6 | 19.2 ± 2.8 | 0.820 |
| stretching time (ms) | 134.9 ± 32.9 | 116.5 ± 33.8 | 0.106 | |
| shortening (mm) | 27.7 ± 8.3a | 34.0 ± 4.5 | 0.010 | |
| shortening time (ms) | 63.2 ± 25.0 | 73.5 ± 36.9 | 0.320 | |
| maximal shortening velocity (mm ms−1) | 0.74 ± 0.18a | 0.87 ± 0.11 | 0.016 | |
| soleus | stretching (mm) | 10.6 ± 2.4 | 10.4 ± 1.4 | 0.784 |
| stretching time (ms) | 73.1 ± 23.3 | 69.0 ± 18.5 | 0.563 | |
| shortening (mm) | 38.5 ± 8.3a | 45.4 ± 5.1 | 0.006 | |
| shortening time (ms) | 122.3 ± 25.3 | 117.5 ± 30.1 | 0.603 | |
| maximal shortening velocity (mm ms−1) | 0.80 ± 0.17a | 0.93 ± 0.10 | 0.011 |
aDifferent from adult (p < 0.05).