COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BOTTOM GEAR AND TOP GEAR MUSCLES BETWEEN SPORTSPERSONS AND SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE PERSONS

Abstract

Background: The triceps surae complex is a complex of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles and is of fundamental importance in locomotion, postural control and athletic performance. The gastrocnemius muscle is mainly involved in quick and powerful movement and the soleus is mostly involved in long-term postural and endurance tasks. These muscles can vary in structural adaptations depending on the usual physical activity and training conditions. Objective: To compare the thickness of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, to determine the relative contribution of the gastrocnemius muscle to the triceps surae, and the length of the tendo calcaneus in sportspersons and sedentary persons. Methods: A case study was done on 100 respondents (50 sportspersons and 50 sedentary persons) sampled out of Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, during the academic year 2024-2025. The participants were divided into groups-based sex and paired by height (girls: 150 cm; boys: 165 cm). The sportspersons had at least five years of organized football or basketball trainees. The thickness of gastrocnemius, soleus and length of tendo calcaneus were measured by ultrasound imaging. The measurements were taken in a standardized prone position condition with the ankle in 90º and the average of the three measurements is taken. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Gastrocnemius muscle thickness was significantly greater in sportspersons compared to sedentary individuals in both sexes (p ≤ 0.05).  Among females, gastrocnemius thickness measured 1.32 cm in sportspersons versus 0.94 cm in sedentary individuals. Among males, the values were 1.33 cm and 0.94 cm, respectively. The proportional contribution of gastrocnemius thickness to soleus thickness was also higher among sportspersons (40.12 vs. 28.57 in females and 36.14 vs. 25.06 in males). No significant differences were observed in soleus thickness and tendo calcaneus length. Conclusion: Regular athletic training appears to promote selective hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle while preserving the structural characteristics of the soleus muscle and tendo calcaneus. These findings support the concept of activity-specific adaptation within the triceps surae and highlight the usefulness of ultrasonography in evaluating training-related musculoskeletal changes.