Abstract
OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the clinical characteristics, ground reaction force (GRF), and function of the plantar muscles and dorsiflexors of the ankle in runners with and without Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and in non-runners.METHODS:Seventy-two participants (42 men, 30 women; mean age: 37.3±9.9 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and divided into three groups: AT group (ATG, n=24), healthy runners’ group (HRG, n=24), and non-runners’ group (NRG, n=24). Both ankles were evaluated in each group. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale was used for clinical and functional evaluation. GRF was evaluated using force plates and muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer.RESULTS:The AOFAS scores were lower in the ATG. The strike impulse was higher in the ATG than in the HRG and NRG. However, GRF was similar among the groups. The ATG exhibited lower total work at 120°/s speed than the HRG. The peak torque in concentric dorsiflexion was lower in the NRG than in the ATG and HRG. The peak torque and total work in concentric plantar flexion were lower in the NRG than in the ATG. The peak torque and total work in eccentric plantar flexion were lower in the NRG than in the ATG and HRG.CONCLUSION:Runners with AT showed higher strike impulse, lower muscle strength of the plantar flexors, and higher clinical and functional damage.
Highlights
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most common overuse injuries in elite and recreational distance runners [1,2]
Surface, conditions related to environment and equipment [8,9,11,14], and training mistakes including those involving the distance, intensity, running rhythm, technique, and fatigue [5,8,9]
Two (8%) runners did not experience any pain during running, but experienced it after running
Summary
Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most common overuse injuries in elite and recreational distance runners [1,2]. AT affects runners, but it is not clear how this condition changes the running technique.Among the spatiotemporal variables, runners with AT may exhibit similar [1] or slower gait speed, shorter stride length, and shorter step length compared to those without AT [17]. Runners with a higher foot impact are at an increased risk of developing lower limb overuse injuries [19,20]. McRoys et al [13] suggested that peak torque in plantar flexion, touchdown angle, and years of running were the strongest discriminators between runners with Achilles
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