Background: Load and joint kinematics change with differences in running surface. Running regularly on trails compared to roads might influence the load on the Achilles tendon and its adaptations, along with other factors such as balance, strength, and proprioception.
Objective: To investigate Achilles tendon structure and functional tests in road and trail runners.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Laboratory, sport sciences college.
Participants: The study included 26 road and 17 trail runners who run at least three times per week with a minimum of 20 km per week and who participated in running competitions over the preceding 2 years.
Methods: Each participant was examined for Achilles tendon structure (via ultrasound tissue characterization [UTC] imaging) and underwent functional tests in addition to completing a demographic questionnaire.
Main Outcome Measurements: The percentages of echo types I, II, III, and IV (degree of structural homogeneity) within the tendon, tendon length and width, tendon cross-sectional area (via UTC imaging); Ankle inversion movement discrimination ability (via Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus device); dynamic postural balance (via Y balance test); jumping performance (by Triple hop distance test); and Hip muscle abduction muscle strength (by hand-held dynamometry).
Results: Percentage of echo type I was significantly lower while echo type II was higher in the road group compared with the trail group (67.3% type I and 28.9% type II in the road group compared with 74.1% type I and 22.1% type II in the trail group, P < .001). No differences between genders were found and no significant differences between groups were found for the other tests.
Conclusion: Tendon integrity as examined with UTC is different between road and trail runners. This suggests an influence of running surface on Achilles tendon structure. This difference was not reflected in other tests, thus the influence of tendon structure on function needs further examination.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12296 | DOI Listing |
Ann Vasc Dis
January 2025
Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.
We sought to clarify the interface pressure (IP) and its variation by applying Biflex16, a calibrated bandage, to the lower leg. In Study I, 50 participants applied a bandage to the lower leg of a single subject in two ways: first, with 50% overlap, while the calibration rectangle became a square (Application 1), and then with 50% overlap without intentional stretch (Application 2) which served as a control. In Study II, another 51 participants applied the bandage to their lower leg via Application 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Sports Med
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Center, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background: The challenge of achieving effective tendon-to-bone healing remains a significant concern in sports medicine, necessitating further exploration. Biomimetic electrospun nanomaterials present promising avenues for improving this critical healing process.
Purpose: To investigate the biological efficacy of a novel aligned-to-random PLGA/Col1-PLGA/nHA bilayer electrospun nanofiber membrane in facilitating tendon-to-bone healing.
J Am Podiatr Med Assoc
January 2025
†Podiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
Background: We sought to determine the wound complications associated with a straight midline incision overlying the Achilles tendon. Data on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), surgery performed, date of surgery, and wound development were collected.
Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 217 patients with a mean ± SD age of 46.
Acta Bioeng Biomech
September 2024
Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine, Kraków, Poland.
The purpose was to answer what is the relationship between torques acting on the human body, how does the triceps calf muscle balance the weight of a tilted body and what is the foot's role in the titling body? Two research models were developed. Model 1 - the one-sided lever system consists of a flat bar with, an axis of rotation, used to determine the weight and torque at a given point on it. Model 2 - the two-sided lever system consists of a flat bar imitating a tilted body counteracted by the Achilles tendon, and a platform imitating a foot.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Podiatr Med Assoc
January 2025
†Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University Medical School, Pendik, Istanbul, Turkey.
This case report aims to demonstrate a rare occurrence of tendon rupture attributable to levofloxacin use in Helicobacter pylori eradication. On the seventh day of treatment, the patient experienced severe foot pain and difficulty in walking, leading to a diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. Levofloxacin-induced tendinopathy and/or rupture are rare complications that are often linked to age and sex.
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