Work

Gender Differences in Leg Stiffness and Stiffness Recruitment Strategy During Two-Legged Hopping

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: The authors compared leg stiffness (K(VERT)), muscle activation, and joint movement patterns between 11 men and 10 women during hopping. Physically active and healthy men and women performed continuous 2-legged hopping at their preferred rate and at 3.0 Hz. Compared with men, women demonstrated decreased K(VERT); however, after the authors normalized for body mass, gender differences in K(VERT) were eliminated. In comparison with men, women also demonstrated increased quadriceps and soleus activity, as well as greater quadriceps-to-hamstrings coactivation ratios. There were no significant gender differences for joint movement patterns (p>.05). The relationship between the observed gender differences in muscle recruitment and the increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in women requires further study.

Source: Journal of Motor Behavior

DOI: 10.3200/jmbr.37.2.111-126

Authors: Darin A. Padua, Christopher R. Carcia, Brent L. Arnold, Kevin P. Granata

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duquesne University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech

Language: English

Topic: Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases