scholarly journals Variations in Achilles Tendon Loading with Heel Lift Intervention in Heel-Toe Runners

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J. Dixon ◽  
David G. Kerwin
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
Peak Rate ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
Tendon Force ◽  
Heel Lift ◽  
Rate Of Loading

This study investigated the influence of heel lift interventions on the loading of the Achilles tendon for heel-toe runners. It was hypothesized that the peak Achilles tendon force and peak rate of loading would be reduced by the increase in heel lift, and that the peak Achilles tendon force would occur significantly later in stance. Achilles tendon forces were determined by calculating sagittal-plane ankle joint moments using inverse-dynamics techniques and dividing these moments by Achilles tendon moment arm lengths. Methods for estimating Achilles tendon moment arm length using skin markers were justified via MRI data for one participant. Seven participants underwent running trials under three heel lift conditions: zero, 7.5-mm, and 15-mm heel lift. Average magnitude and occurrence time of peak Achilles tendon force and peak rate of loading were determined for each condition over the 7 participants. Despite group reductions in peak Achilles tendon force and peak rate of loading for the increased heel lift conditions, statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences for these variables, p > 0.05. Individual participant observations highlighted varied responses to heel lift; both increases and decreases in peak Achilles tendon force were observed. For the group data, the time of peak impact force occurred significantly later in the 15-mm heel lift condition than in the zero heel lift, p < 0.05. It is suggested that the success of increased heel lift in treating Achilles tendon injury may be due to a later occurrence of peak Achilles tendon force in response to this intervention, reducing Achilles tendon average rate of loading. In addition, the individuality of Achilles tendon peak force changes with heel lift intervention highlights the need for individual participant analysis.

The Effects of Orthotic Heel Lifts on Achilles Tendon Force and Strain During Running

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic James Farris ◽  
Erica Buckeridge ◽  
Grant Trewartha ◽  
Miranda Polly McGuigan
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Tendon Force ◽  
The Right

This study assessed the effects of orthotic heel lifts on Achilles tendon (AT) force and strain during running. Ten females ran barefoot over a force plate in three conditions: no heel lifts (NHL), with 12 mm heel lifts (12HL) and with 18 mm heel lifts (18HL). Kinematics for the right lower limb were collected (200 Hz). AT force was calculated from inverse dynamics. AT strain was determined from kinematics and ultrasound images of medial gastrocnemius (50 Hz). Peak AT strain was less for 18HL (5.5 ± 4.4%) than for NHL (7.4 ± 4.2%) (p = .029, effect size [ES] = 0.44) but not for 12HL (5.8 ± 4.8%) versus NHL (ES = 0.35). Peak AT force was significantly (p = .024, ES = 0.42) less for 18HL (2382 ± 717 N) than for NHL (2710 ± 830 N) but not for 12HL (2538 ± 823 N, ES = 0.21). The 18HL reduced ankle dorsiflexion but not flexion-extension ankle moments and increased the AT moment arm compared with NHL. Thus, 18HL reduced force and strain on the AT during running via a reduction in dorsiflexion, which lengthened the AT moment arm. Therefore, heel lifts could be used to reduce AT loading and strain during the rehabilitation of AT injuries.

The Influence of Heel Lift Manipulation on Achilles Tendon Loading in Running

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J. Dixon ◽  
David G. Kerwin
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Tendon Injury ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
The Common ◽  
Tendon Force ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Joint Center ◽  
Heel Lift

In this study, a modeling method was developed to estimate Achilles tendon forces in running. Owing to the common use of heel lift devices in the treatment of Achilles tendon injury, we investigated the influence of increased heel lift on Achilles tendon loading. The hypothesis was that heel lift manipulation can influence maximum Achilles tendon force. Responses to heel lift variation were found to differ among 3 elite runners demonstrating distinct running styles. A rearfoot and a midfoot striker demonstrated significant increases in maximum Achilles tendon force with increased heel lift, whereas a forefoot striker demonstrated no changes in maximum Achilles tendon force values with heel lift manipulation (p < .05). Analysis of the factors contributing to the observed changes in maximum Achilles tendon force highlighted the influence of the moment arm of ground reaction force and the moment arm of the Achilles tendon about the ankle joint center. The finding that increased heel lift may increase maximum Achilles tendon force suggests that caution is advised in the routine use of this intervention. The different responses to heel lift increase between subjects highlight the importance of classifying subjects based on running style.

scholarly journals Changes in the Plantarflexion Moment Arm of the Achilles Tendon Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0048
Author(s):  
Francesca E. Wade ◽  
Gregory Lewis ◽  
Andrea H. Horne ◽  
Lauren Hickox ◽  
Michael C. Aynardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Total Ankle Arthroplasty ◽  
Moment Arm ◽  
Talar Dome ◽  
Ankle Arthroplasty ◽  
Joint Structure ◽  
Joint Axis ◽  
Mean Differences

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Deficits in ankle joint kinetics following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) may be attributed to a reduction in the force-generating capacity of ankle joint muscles, but it is also important to consider the alterations to joint structure that may accompany this procedure. One key parameter indicative of joint structure with the potential to be influenced by TAA is the plantarflexion moment arm of the Achilles tendon (ATma). ATma is an indicator of the potential for the tendon force to produce plantarflexion moment that is determined by the three-dimensional line of action of the tendon relative to the ankle joint axis. The purpose of this study was to assess pre-to-post TAA changes in ATma; we hypothesized that pre- and post-TAA moment arms would not be different. Methods: We tested 10 TAA patients (age at surgery: 62.86 +- 9.72 y; height: 1.72 +- 0.08 m; body mass: 97.81 +- 20.89 kg) at pre-operative (˜ 1 mo pre) and post-operative (˜6 mo post) visits. All procedures involving testing of human subjects were approved by the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Institutional Review Board. ATma were measured using a method that combined ultrasound imaging of the tendon with 3D motion tracking of both the ultrasound probe and the ankle joint. The tendon and joint axis were located during trials in which the patients were seated with the knee extended while the ankle joint was voluntarily rotated in the sagittal plane. We also examined sagittal-plane weightbearing radiographs (pre- and post-op) to determine the AP distance from the center of the talar dome to the posterior margin of the calcaneus. Pre- and post-op ATma were compared using a paired t-test and regression. Results: No significant mean differences were found between post-op ATma and pre-op ATma (p = 0.360). Despite this, some patients were found to have large differences between pre- and postoperative ATma. For example, participants 1, 3, and 8 exhibited changes of -54.22%, +64.14% and +123.98% (pre-to-post) respectively (Figure 1). A moderate correlation between pre- and post-op ATma was found (r2 = 0.461, p = 0.031), indicating that only 46.1% of the variance in post-op ATma was explained by pre-op ATma (Figure 1). The normalized AP distance measured from the radiographs did not significantly change on average pre- to post-TAA (p = 0.561), and we found the change in this distance to correlate with the change in ATma (r2 = 0.370, p = 0.062). Conclusion: This is the first investigation of whether TAA alters ATma. Our results supported our hypothesis that pre-operative ATma predicts post-operative ATma. However, our hypothesis is supported only when the mean differences are considered, as there were sizeable differences for individuals. Despite a non-significant average change in ATma following TAA, at the individual level substantial changes in ATma were observed in seven of the 10 patients. Change in ATma was only partly explained by change in the AP position of the talar dome. Change in ATma has potential consequences for function in terms of ankle plantarflexor strength and walking velocity.

The Influence of Heal Lift Manipulation on Sagittal Plane Kinematics in Running

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J. Dixon ◽  
David G. Kerwin
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Joint Movement ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Ankle Angle ◽  
Tendon Strain ◽  
Heel Lift

In this study sagittal plane joint angles of the lower extremity were used to obtain an indication of the influence of heel lift manipulation on Achilles tendon strain in running. The influence of increased heel lift on lower extremity kinematics was investigated for 8 heel striking subjects. With increased heel lift, all subjects demonstrated reductions in peak ankle dorsi-flexion and consistent values of peak knee flexion, indicating that there were reductions in peak Achilles tendon strain. Group analysis demonstrated that the reductions in peak ankle angle were statistically significant (p < .01). Typically, subjects also demonstrated adjustments in initial ankle angle, whereby the amount of ankle dorsi-flexion at initial ground contact was reduced with increased heel lift. Group mean data indicated that a 15-mm heel lift resulted in a mean decrease in initial ankle dorsi-flexion of 3.9°, while peak ankle dorsi-flexion was also reduced by 3.9°. It is suggested that the initial ankle angle adjustment acted to maintain a similar range of ankle joint movement in the period from initial ground contact to peak ankle dorsi-flexion across heel lift conditions. The distinct behavior of one subject, who demonstrated an increased ankle dorsi-flexion at ground impact, has highlighted the importance of considering single subject results in studies of footwear variation in running.

scholarly journals Maximum dorsiflexion increases Achilles tendon force during exercise for midportion Achilles tendinopathy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia‐Han Yeh ◽  
James Calder ◽  
Jarrod Antflick ◽  
Anthony M.J. Bull ◽  
Angela E. Kedgley
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Tendon Force

The effect of fatigue on peak Achilles tendon force in Irish dancing-specific landing tasks

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ceridwen R. Radcliffe ◽  
Celeste E. Coltman ◽  
Wayne A. Spratford
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Force

scholarly journals Changes in Achilles tendon moment arm from rest to maximum isometric plantarflexion:in vivoobservations in man

1998 ◽  
Vol 510 (3) ◽  
pp. 977-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantinos N. Maganaris ◽  
Vasilios Baltzopoulos ◽  
Anthony J. Sargeant
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Moment Arm

Quantification of Achilles Tendon Force Enhancement by Passively Induced Dorsiflexion Stretches

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Nicol ◽  
Paavo V. Komi
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Female Subject ◽  
Plateau Phase ◽  
Force Enhancement ◽  
Surface Electrodes ◽  
Twitch Response ◽  
Tendon Force ◽  
The Right ◽  
Passive Stretch

Magnitude of the reflex contribution to force enhancement was investigated in vivo during passive stretches of the Achilles tendon (AT) of one female subject. Thirty passive (5 × 6) dorsiflexions were induced by a motorized ankle ergometer. Achilles tendon force (ATF) was sensed by a buckle transducer applied surgically around the right AT. Single passive stretches resulted in a low but rather linear ATF increase in the absence of EMG (surface electrodes) activity. In the presence of reflexes, a clear ATF enhancement occurred 13–15 ms after the beginning of the EMG reflex responses. In double dorsiflexions at either 1.2 or 1.9 rad · s-1, which were separated by a maintained stretched position of either 40 or 90 ms, the first stretch resulted in initial linear ATF increase, followed by an additional force enhancement during the plateau phase. This reflexly induced increase represented 94 ± 4 N and 184 ± 1 N, respectively, for the 40 and the 90 ms plateaus, corresponding to 210 ± 85% and 486 ± 177% enhancements as compared to the first passive stretch effect. The results suggest further that timing of the stretch during the twitch response influences the magnitude and rate of force potentiation.

scholarly journals Aging and the effects of a half marathon on Achilles tendon force–elongation relationship

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 2281-2292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thijs Maria Anne Ackermans ◽  
Gaspar Epro ◽  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
Kai Daniel Oberländer ◽  
Frank Suhr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Force
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