Development of Muscle–Tendon Adaptation in Preadolescent Gymnasts and Untrained Peers: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study

Purpose The current study investigated the effects of long-term athletic training on the development of the triceps surae muscle–tendon unit in preadolescence. Methods Eleven preadolescent untrained children and a group of 21 artistic gymnastics athletes of similar age (9 ± 1.7 yr) and maturity (Tanner stages I and II) participated in the study. The measurements were conducted every 3 months for 1 yr, and training volume and duration of the athletes were documented. Plantar flexor muscle strength, Achilles tendon stiffness, maximum tendon strain, and gastrocnemius medialis morphometrics were measured by integrating kinematics, ultrasonography, and dynamometry. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the investigated parameters. Results We found greater muscle strength (P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: APPLIED SCIENCES Source Type: research