Factors Related to Stiffness of Gastrocnemius Muscle:Study with MyotonPRO / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the impact of gender and body mass on stiffness of the medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle. Methods Forty healthy subjects were recruited to measure the stiffness of medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius mus-cle,using a novel hand-held device MyotonPRO.The relationships between gender,weight and muscle stiffness were examined. Results The stiffness of medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle was more in males than in females(t>2.523, P<0.01),and was positively correlated with body mass(r>0.322,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the stiffness between dominant and non-dominant legs for medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle(t<0.851,P>0.05). Conclusion Gender and body mass ralate with the stiffness of medial and lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle in healthy subjects,and the stiffness of both left and right sides is symmetrical in healthy subjects.