The positional effects of weight-bearing foot and ankle musculature on muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q3 NEUROSCIENCES

Gait & posture Pub Date : 2025-04-29 DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.04.031

Jesus Arellano, Olivia Wulbert, Amber Schwarting, Abbis Jaffri

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Shear wave elastography (SWE), an ultrasound imaging method, assesses muscle tissue stiffness by measuring the speed of sound waves traveling through it, with faster speeds indicating greater stiffness. It is unclear whether differences in foot and ankle muscle stiffness depend on changes in loading volume. The purpose of this study is to assess stiffness changes of foot and ankle muscles between non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing positions.

Methods

Sixty individuals (38F, age: 23.4 ± 3.20 yrs., weight: 74.9 ± 19.7 kg, height: 170.0 ± 8.70 cm) participated in this study. SWE measures were performed using an ultrasound scanner. Shear wave elastography mean velocity (m/s) values were recorded for the tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, peroneal, and abductor hallucis muscles in both non-weight-bearing (sitting) and weight-bearing (standing) positions. Paired t-test was performed to analyze differences in muscle stiffness.

Findings

A significant difference in muscle stiffness between non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing positions was found for tibialis posterior (p < 0.01, effect size (ES) = -0.97) and abductor hallucis (p < 0.01, ES = -1.08). No significant differences existed between positions for tibialis anterior (p = 0.43, ES = 0.12) and peroneal muscles (p = 0.13, ES = -0.16).

Interpretation

Abductor hallucis and tibialis posterior muscles of the foot and ankle demonstrate significant increases in stiffness from a non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing task. Muscle stiffness of tibialis anterior and peroneal muscles is not dependent on these positions. Abductor hallucis and tibialis posterior may contribute to cushioning and support for the foot and ankle during weight-bearing tasks.

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用剪切波弹性成像研究负重足部和踝关节肌肉的位置效应对肌肉刚度的影响

横波弹性成像（SWE）是一种超声成像方法，通过测量声波穿过肌肉组织的速度来评估肌肉组织的刚度，速度越快表明刚度越大。目前尚不清楚足部和踝关节肌肉僵硬的差异是否取决于负荷的变化。本研究的目的是评估足部和踝关节肌肉在非负重和负重姿势之间的刚度变化。方法60例（38岁），年龄23.4 ± 3.20 岁。体重：74.9 ± 19.7 kg，身高：170.0 ± 8.70 cm)参加了本次研究。采用超声扫描仪进行SWE测量。记录非负重（坐位）和负重（站立）两种姿势下胫骨后肌、胫骨前肌、腓骨肌和幻觉外展肌的横波弹性图平均速度（m/s）值。采用配对t检验分析肌肉僵硬度的差异。非负重体位与负重体位间胫骨后肌僵硬度差异有统计学意义（p <； 0.01，效应量（ES） = -0.97），外展幻肌僵硬度差异有统计学意义（p <； 0.01,ES = -1.08）。胫骨前肌（p = 0.43,ES = 0.12）和腓骨肌（p = 0.13,ES = -0.16）的体位差异无统计学意义。解释：脚和脚踝的外展肌和胫骨后肌显示出从非负重任务到负重任务的僵硬度显著增加。胫骨前肌和腓肌的肌肉僵硬不依赖于这些体位。外展幻觉肌和胫骨后肌可能在负重时对足部和踝关节起到缓冲和支撑作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Gait & posture 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

616

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： Gait & Posture is a vehicle for the publication of up-to-date basic and clinical research on all aspects of locomotion and balance. The topics covered include: Techniques for the measurement of gait and posture, and the standardization of results presentation; Studies of normal and pathological gait; Treatment of gait and postural abnormalities; Biomechanical and theoretical approaches to gait and posture; Mathematical models of joint and muscle mechanics; Neurological and musculoskeletal function in gait and posture; The evolution of upright posture and bipedal locomotion; Adaptations of carrying loads, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs etc; spinal biomechanics only if they are directly related to gait and/or posture and are of general interest to our readers; The effect of aging and development on gait and posture; Psychological and cultural aspects of gait; Patient education.