Thomas W Kernozek1, Allie Knaus2, Tess Rademaker2, Thomas G Almonroeder3. 1. Department of Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1300 Badger Street, La Crosse, WI, United States; La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS), University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1300 Badger Street, La Crosse, WI, United States. Electronic address: kernozek.thom@uwlax.edu. 2. Department of Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1300 Badger Street, La Crosse, WI, United States; La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS), University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1300 Badger Street, La Crosse, WI, United States. 3. Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy Program, Trine University, 1819 Carew Street, Fort Wayne, IN, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Female runners that habitually use a forefoot/midfoot strike pattern (non-rearfoot runners) may be at greater risk for Achilles tendinopathy compared to runners that habitually use a rearfoot strike pattern. Differences in Achilles tendon loading between non-rearfoot and rearfoot strike runners may be a contributing factor. RESEARCH QUESTION: Our purpose was to determine if there were differences in Achilles tendon loading and cross-sectional area between female habitual rearfoot and non-rearfoot strike runners. METHODS: Thirty-five female runners participated in this cross-sectional study (17 rearfoot strike runners, 18 non-rearfoot strike runners). Ultrasound images of the Achilles tendon were used to measure cross-sectional area. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected at a set running speed and used in a muscloskeletal model to calculate Achilles tendon force. Achilles tendon stress was determined from specific Achilles tendon cross-sectional area. Principal components (PC) analysis was performed to identify/characterize the primary sources of variability in the Achilles tendon stress time series. The PC scores and cross-sectional area where compared using independent t-tests. RESULTS: PC 1 reflected variability in the Achilles tendon stress magnitude from 25 to 100% of stance, PC 2 reflected timing variability, and PC 3 reflected variability in the magnitude during early stance (0-25%). The non-rearfoot strike runners demonstrated higher PC scores for PC 1 and PC 3 compared to the rearfoot strike runners. This reflected greater Achilles tendon stress during mid/late stance (PC 1) and early stance (PC 3) for the non-rearfoot strike runners. For PC 2, there was a trend toward higher PC scores in the non-rearfoot strike runners. Achilles tendon cross-sectional area for the rearfoot and non-rearfoot strike runners were not different. SIGNIFICANCE: Habitual non-rearfoot strike runners did not have greater cross-sectional area despite higher Achilles tendon loading, which may pose a higher risk for Achilles tendinopathy.
BACKGROUND: Female runners that habitually use a forefoot/midfoot strike pattern (non-rearfoot runners) may be at greater risk for Achilles tendinopathy compared to runners that habitually use a rearfoot strike pattern. Differences in Achilles tendon loading between non-rearfoot and rearfoot strike runners may be a contributing factor. RESEARCH QUESTION: Our purpose was to determine if there were differences in Achilles tendon loading and cross-sectional area between female habitual rearfoot and non-rearfoot strike runners. METHODS: Thirty-five female runners participated in this cross-sectional study (17 rearfoot strike runners, 18 non-rearfoot strike runners). Ultrasound images of the Achilles tendon were used to measure cross-sectional area. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected at a set running speed and used in a muscloskeletal model to calculate Achilles tendon force. Achilles tendon stress was determined from specific Achilles tendon cross-sectional area. Principal components (PC) analysis was performed to identify/characterize the primary sources of variability in the Achilles tendon stress time series. The PC scores and cross-sectional area where compared using independent t-tests. RESULTS:PC 1 reflected variability in the Achilles tendon stress magnitude from 25 to 100% of stance, PC 2 reflected timing variability, and PC 3 reflected variability in the magnitude during early stance (0-25%). The non-rearfoot strike runners demonstrated higher PC scores for PC 1 and PC 3 compared to the rearfoot strike runners. This reflected greater Achilles tendon stress during mid/late stance (PC 1) and early stance (PC 3) for the non-rearfoot strike runners. For PC 2, there was a trend toward higher PC scores in the non-rearfoot strike runners. Achilles tendon cross-sectional area for the rearfoot and non-rearfoot strike runners were not different. SIGNIFICANCE: Habitual non-rearfoot strike runners did not have greater cross-sectional area despite higher Achilles tendon loading, which may pose a higher risk for Achilles tendinopathy.
Authors: Alberto Rubio-Peirotén; Felipe García-Pinillos; Diego Jaén-Carrillo; Antonio Cartón-Llorente; Luis E Roche-Seruendo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-18 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Karsten Hollander; Anna Lina Rahlf; Jan Wilke; Christopher Edler; Simon Steib; Astrid Junge; Astrid Zech Journal: Sports Med Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 11.136