Effects of gastrocnemius tightness on forefoot during gait.

Abstract

The gastrocnemius is the main muscle of the posterior compartment of the leg. As a biarticular muscle it has specific biomechanical propertiess. This article discusses these properties combining the major biomechanical topics of anatomy, dynamics, kinetics, and electromyography. This muscle is remarkable in that it has very low energy consumption and very high mechanical efficacy. In addition to the biomechanical features, the consequences of its tightness are discussed. The dysfunction also appears in all the biomechanical topics and clarifies the reasons of the location of symptoms in the midfoot and on the plantar aspect of the forefoot.