The Effect Of Heel Height Of Running Shoes On Achilles Tendon Loading In Recreational Runners

AbstractIn recent years, increasing the midsole bending stiffness (MBS) of running shoes by embedding carbon fibre plates in the midsole resulted in many world records set during long-distance running competitions. Although several theories were introduced to unravel the mechanisms behind these performance benefits, no definitive explanation was provided so far. This study aimed to investigate how the function of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and Achilles tendon is altered when running in shoes with increased MBS. Here, we provide the first direct evidence that the amount and velocity of GM muscle fascicle shortening is reduced when running with increased MBS. Compared to control, running in the stiffest condition at 90% of speed at lactate threshold resulted in less muscle fascicle shortening (p = 0.006, d = 0.87), slower average shortening velocity (p = 0.002, d = 0.93) and greater estimated Achilles tendon energy return (p ≤ 0.001, d = 0.96), without a significant change in GM fascicle work (p = 0.335, d = 0.40) or GM energy cost (p = 0.569, d = 0.30). The findings of this study suggest that running in stiff shoes allows the ankle plantarflexor muscle–tendon unit to continue to operate on a more favourable position of the muscle’s force–length–velocity relationship by lowering muscle shortening velocity and increasing tendon energy return.

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Calcaneal Bone Mass Modification in Recreational Runners

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/15-122 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 106 (6) ◽

pp. 381-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elena Escamilla-Martínez ◽

Alfonso Martínez-Nova ◽

Beatriz Gómez-Martín ◽

Raquel Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽

Lourdes María Fernández-Seguín ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Density ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Mass Density ◽

Control Sample ◽

Bone Mass Density ◽

Running Shoes ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Trabecular Bone Mass ◽

Recreational Runners ◽

The Impact

Background: The calcaneus is the bone of the foot that first receives the impact of running, generating vibrations that might have a positive effect in modifying the trabecular bone mass. The objective of this study was to determine the variation in calcaneal bone density in runners during a 6-month training season, comparing it with a control sample. Methods: Bone density of the heel was measured in 33 male recreational runners by means of a contact ultrasonic bone analyzer. Measurements were made on three occasions during a training season: at the beginning, at 350 km, and at 700 km. All of the runners wore the same model of running shoes during this period. Measurements of bone density were also made in a control sample of 62 men who did not engage in physical exercise. Results: There was a significant decrease in mean calcaneal bone density over the course of the training season (from 86.1 dB/MHz to 83.2 dB/MHz; P = .006), but no significant differences with the control sample value (from 80.7 dB/MHz to 81.1 dB/MHz; P = .314). The runners' body composition changed during the study period, with lean mass increasing and fat mass decreasing. Conclusions: Distance running seems to have a negative effect on calcaneal bone mass density during the course of a 700-km training season.

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Standardized Lab Shoes Do Not Decrease Loading Rate Variability in Recreational Runners

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2019-0337 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 340-344

Author(s):

Jessica G. Hunter ◽

Alexander M.B. Smith ◽

Lena M. Sciarratta ◽

Stephen Suydam ◽

Jae Kun Shim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Time ◽

Loading Rate ◽

Ground Reaction Forces ◽

Ground Contact ◽

Step Rate ◽

Running Shoes ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Ground Contact Time ◽

Recreational Runners ◽

Running Mechanics

Studies of running mechanics often use a standardized lab shoe, ostensibly to reduce variance between subjects; however, this may induce unnatural running mechanics. The purpose of this study was to compare the step rate, vertical average loading rate, and ground contact time when running in standardized lab shoes versus participants’ normal running shoes. Ground reaction forces were measured while the participants ran overground in both shoe conditions at a self-selected speed. The Student’s t-test revealed that the vertical average loading rate magnitude was smaller in lab shoes versus normal shoes (42.09 [11.08] vs 47.35 [10.81] body weight/s, P = .013), while the step rate (170.92 [9.43] vs 168.98 [9.63] steps/min, P = .053) and ground contact time were similar (253 [25] vs 251 [20] ms, P = .5227) and the variance of all outcomes was similar in lab shoes versus normal shoes. Our results indicate that using standardized lab shoes during testing may underestimate the loads runners actually experience during their typical mileage.

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Effects of minimalist and maximalist footwear on Achilles tendon load in recreational runners

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep150024 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 239-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. Sinclair ◽

J. Richards ◽

H. Shore

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Body Mass ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Tendon Injury ◽

Current Investigation ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Temporal Aspects ◽

Recreational Runners ◽

The Relationship

The current investigation aimed to comparatively examine the effects of minimalist, maximalist and conventional footwear on Achilles tendon forces (ATF) during running. Twelve male runners (age 23.11±5.01 years, height 1.78±0.10 cm and body mass 77.13±7.89 kg) ran at 4.0 m/s in the three footwear conditions. ATF’s were calculated using Opensim software allowing the magnitudal and temporal aspects of the ATF to be quantified. Differences between footwear were examined using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed the peak ATF was significantly larger in minimalist footwear (5.97±1.38 body weight (BW)) compared to maximalist (5.07±1.42 BW). In addition it was revealed that ATF per mile was significantly larger in minimalist (492.31±157.72 BW) in comparison to both maximalist (377.31±148.06 BW) and conventional (402.71±125.51 BW) footwear. Given the relationship between high ATF and Achilles tendon degradation, the current investigation indicated that minimalist footwear may increase runners risk for Achilles tendon injury.

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A 12MM, IN-SHOE ORTHOTIC HEEL LIFT ADDED TO STANDARD RUNNING SHOES LOWERS ACHILLES TENDON LOADING

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2016-097372.24 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 293.1-293

Author(s):

Simon Bartold

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Running Shoes ◽

Heel Lift

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Longitudinal Analysis of Plantar Pressures with Wear of a Running Shoe

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17051707 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 1707 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elena Escamilla-Martínez ◽

Beatriz Gómez-Martín ◽

Lourdes María Fernández-Seguín ◽

Alfonso Martínez-Nova ◽

Juan Diego Pedrera-Zamorano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Analysis ◽

Plantar Pressure ◽

Pressure Pattern ◽

Plantar Pressures ◽

Material Fatigue ◽

Running Shoes ◽

Recreational Runners ◽

Peak Pressures ◽

Shoe Wear ◽

Subjective Sensation

Running shoes typically have a lifespan of 300–1000 km, and the plantar pressure pattern during running may change as the shoe wears. So, the aim of this study was to determine the variation of plantar pressures with shoe wear, and the runner’s subjective sensation. Maximun Plantar Pressures (MMP) were measured from 33 male recreational runners at three times during a training season (beginning, 350 km, and 700 km) using the Biofoot/IBV® in-shoe system (Biofoot/IBV®, Valencia, Spain). All the runners wore the same shoes (New Balance® 738, Boston, MA, USA) during this period, and performed similar training. The zones supporting most pressure at all three study times were the medial (inner) column of the foot and the forefoot. There was a significant increase in pressure on the midfoot over the course of the training season (from 387.8 to 590 kPa, p = 0.003). The runners who felt the worst cushioning under the midfoot were those who had the highest peak pressures in that area (p = 0.002). The New Balance® 738 running shoe effectively maintains the plantar pressure pattern after 700 km of use under all the zones studied except the midfoot, probably due to material fatigue or deficits of the specific cushioning systems in that area.

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Characterisation of Achilles tendon pain in recreational runners using multidimensional pain scales

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2019.10.016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 258-263

Author(s):

Nonhlanhla S. Mkumbuzi ◽

Alison V. September ◽

Michael Posthumus ◽

Brenda Oulo ◽

Trevor S. Mafu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Pain Scales ◽

Recreational Runners

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Comparison of Achilles Tendon Loading Between Male and Female Recreational Runners

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0121 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 155-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Greenhalgh Andrew ◽

Sinclair Jonathan

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Ankle Joint ◽

Body Mass ◽

Inverse Dynamics ◽

Body Height ◽

Current Investigation ◽

Joint Kinetics ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Recreational Runners ◽

Tendon Pathology

Abstract Recreational running is an activity with multiple reported health benefits for both sexes, however, chronic injuries caused by excessive and/or repetitive loading of the Achilles tendon are common. Males have been identified as being at an increased risk of suffering an injury to the Achilles tendon and as such, knowledge of differences in loading between the sexes may provide further information to better understand why this is the case. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether gender differences in the Achilles tendon load exist in recreational runners. Fifteen male (age 26.74 ± 5.52 years, body height 1.80 ± 0.11 m and body mass 74.22 ± 7.27 kg) and fifteen female (age 25.13 ± 6.39 years, body height 1.68 ± 0.12 m and body mass 67.12 ± 9.11 kg) recreational runners volunteered to take part in the current investigation. Participants completed 10 trials running at 4.0 m·s-1 ±5% striking a force platform (1000 Hz) with their right foot. Ankle joint kinematics were synchronously recorded (250 Hz) using an optoelectric motion capture system. Ankle joint kinetics were computed using Newton-Euler inverse-dynamics. Net external ankle joint moments were then calculated. To estimate Achilles tendon kinetics the plantarflexion moment calculated was divided by an estimated Achilles tendon moment arm of 0.05 m. Differences in Achilles tendon kinetics were examined using independent sample t-tests (p<0.05). The results indicate that males were associated with significantly (p<0.05) greater Achilles tendon loads than females. The findings from this study support the notion that male recreational runners may be at greater risk of Achilles tendon pathology.

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