The Effect of a Heel Insert Intervention on Achilles Tendon Loading during Running in Soccer

Daniel C Low,Sharon J Dixon

doi:10.17140/semoj-1-126

Abstract

The Effect of a Heel Insert Intervention on Achilles Tendon Loading during Running in Soccer

Highlights

Soccer is an intermittent sport, made up of periods of low intensity activity such as running and short high intensity movements such as sprinting and jumping.[1]
The mechanism behind the reduction in pain and injury is unclear, one theory suggests that heel inserts change the orientation of the foot, raising the heel relative to the forefoot.[9,10]
There were no significant differences observed for the measurement of average plantar flexion moment or average Achilles Tendon (AT) loading rates (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is an intermittent sport, made up of periods of low intensity activity such as running and short high intensity movements such as sprinting and jumping.[1]. Susceptibility to AT pain and injury has been reduced via the use of commercially available heel inserts.[5,6,7] these devices have been used successfully in the treatment of AT injury.[8] The mechanism behind the reduction in pain and injury is unclear, one theory suggests that heel inserts change the orientation of the foot, raising the heel relative to the forefoot.[9,10] Such orientation is thought to limit the calcaneal friction[11] and lower the maximum dorsi-flexion angle during the mid-stance phase of gait This is believed to lessen the eccentric force and strain applied to the tendon, used to control the downward movement of the centre of mass.[9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion