Highlights
- •There was no difference in the passive stiffness in the menstrual cycle.
- •There was no difference noted in the triceps surae muscle stiffness in the menstrual cycle.
- •Passive stiffness in all menstrual phases in women was lower than men.
- •Soleus muscle stiffness in women was higher than men.
- •There was no gender difference in the muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius.
Abstract
Background
We aimed to investigate the menstrual cycle variation and the gender difference of
the triceps surae muscle stiffness and passive stiffness of the ankle joint.
Methods
The subjects of the study included 12 healthy young women and 12 healthy young men.
Shear elastic moduli of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus
muscles were measured as an index of muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography.
The passive stiffness of the ankle joint was calculated from passive torque when the
ankle joint was passively dorsiflexed. Measurements were conducted in the follicular,
ovulatory, and luteal phases to examine the menstrual cycle variation.
Findings
There was no difference noted in the passive stiffness or triceps surae muscle stiffness
for young women in the menstrual cycle. As for gender differences, passive stiffness
in all menstrual phases in women was lower while the soleus muscle stiffness in women
was higher, compared to that in men.
Interpretation
Our findings suggest that passive stiffness and muscle stiffness did not differ in
the menstrual cycle. In addition, the measured part of the soleus was more tensioned
in women than in men.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 19, 2018
Accepted:
December 17,
2018
Received:
February 22,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
