Asymmetrical loading of the human triceps surae: II. Differences in calcaneal moments

An in vitro experimental study is presented investigating differences in mo ments calculated at the calcaneus, resulting from tensile forces input in v arious configurations of triceps surae muscles. Results indicated significa ntly higher values for plantarflexion moments when forces were input in bot h gastrocnemii than in the soleus (P less than or equal to 0.05). Tensile f orce applied solely to the gastrocnemius lateralis produced a mean eversion moment at the calcaneus, whereas all other configurations demonstrated the expected inversion moment. An abduction moment was reported throughout. Th e presented data provides valuable input for optimizing future biomechanica l models.