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Achilles tendon dimensions, ankle stiffness and footfall patterns in recreational runners

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Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Achilles tendon (AT) dimensions, ankle joint stiffness, and footfall patterns in recreational rearfoot and non-rearfoot runners. Based on the foot strike index, a total of 107 runners were divided into rearfoot (47 females/40 males) and non-rearfoot runners (14 females/6 males). All participants had theirs AT dimensions (AT length, AT thickness, and AT moment arm) measured using a combination of ultrasound and motion capture systems. In addition, all performed running trials measured at self-selected speed in laboratory-neutral shoes. A partial correlation coefficient was used for correlations between the selected variables. The results revealed a significant relationship between ankle joint stiffness and level of footfall pattern in rearfoot (r = 0.232, p = 0.032) and non-rearfoot runners (r = -0.811, p < 0.001). The results also suggest a relationship between AT thickness and foot strike index (r = -0.486) in non-rearfoot runners. Runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the heel have greater ankle joint stiffness. Non-rearfoot runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the toe have a thinner AT. Non-rearfoot runners with thicker AT had greater ankle joint stiffness.
Type
article
article
Date
2023-01-01
Publisher
Degree
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License
UMass Amherst Open Access Policy
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/