Changes In Achilles Forces During Locomotion After 6 Months Of Growth In Youth 10-14 Years

The purposes of this study were (1) determine if peak force in the AT (FAT) and peak normalized FAT (nFAT) during walking and running in growing youth differed at the start and end of 6 months, and (2) test if sex, PAL, and/or growth rate (GR) affected FAT and nFAT. 22 girls (11.2+ or -0.2 years) and 20 boys (13.6+ or -0.1 years) were tested at the start of the study (0 months (mos)) and after 6 mos. GR was similar for boys (2.1%) and girls (2.4%). FAT and nFAT during SSW and SSR did not differ at 0 and 6 mos (mean FAT at 0 and 6 mos: SSW 1243+ or -31 N; SSR 2168+ or -112 N; p > 0.06). Sex was not a significant predictor of FAT or nFAT in SSW, SSR, TSW, or TSR (p > 0.008). GR and PAL were not significant predictors of FAT or nFAT during SSW or SSR (p>0.005).