Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41718081›Full record

ArticleMuscles (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Examining Relationships and Differences Between the Gastrocnemius and Soleus of the Affected and Healthy Lower Limb of Athletes with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome.

Anna Christakou, George Plakoutsis, Athanasios Gkagkalis, Eleftherios Paraskevopoulos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Muscles (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Anna ChristakouLaboratory of Biomechanics, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-6744-2979
George PlakoutsisLaboratory of Advanced Physiotherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-7757-5094
Athanasios GkagkalisDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece.
Eleftherios ParaskevopoulosSchool of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Dafne, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-5552-5101

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesMedial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common overuse injury among athletes, yet limited evidence exists regarding muscle-specific deficits. This study aimed to (a) examine differences in gastrocnemius and soleus strength and endurance between the affected and healthy lower limb, and (b) investigate the relationships between gastrocnemius and soleus strength, endurance, and pain intensity in athletes with MTSS.

methodsThirty athletes aged 18-40 years with MRI-confirmed MTSS, who had completed a standardized physiotherapy program, underwent isometric dynamometry and heel-rise endurance testing under knee-extended (gastrocnemius) and knee-flexed (soleus) conditions. Relative strength values and heel-rise repetitions were compared between limbs using paired

resultsSignificant deficits were found in both muscles of the affected limb, with reduced isometric strength and fewer heel-rise repetitions (gastrocnemius heel-rise:

conclusionsAthletes with MTSS exhibited notable impairments in plantarflexor function. These findings underscore the importance of targeted strength and endurance interventions for both the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to optimize recovery, enhance load tolerance, and reduce recurrence risk. Future research should include pre- and post-rehabilitation assessments, larger sample sizes, and sport-specific cohorts.

Indexed as

athletesendurancegastrocnemiusmedial tibial stress syndromemuscle strengthpainsoleus

Identifiers

PMID41718081
PMCPMC12922045

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.