Gender differences in triceps surae muscle kinematics during a 45˚ cut movement

The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether there are gender differences in triceps surae muscle kinematics during a 45° cut movement. Fifteen male and fifteen female recreational athletes performed 45° cut movements using an approach velocity of 4.0 m.s -1 . Kinematics were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system. Muscle kinematics from the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius and soleus were obtained using musculoskeletal modelling software (Opensim v3.2). The results showed that muscle strain at the lateral Gastrocnemius (male = 2.26 and female = 1.15%), medial Gastrocnemius (male = 2.27 and female = 1.08%) were significantly ( p < 0.05) larger in male athletes. Given the proposed association between the extent of muscle strain and the aetiology of chronic muscle strain pathologies, the current investigation indicates that male athletes may be more susceptible to triceps surae strain injuries when performing the 45° cut movement.