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Overuse injuries are multifactorial resulting from cumulative loading.
The Achilles
tendon resides at the back of the heel and is susceptible to injury like in
high-intensity or high-speed work or running on soft surfaces such as sand. Stiffness
greatly contributes to injury to this tendon as increased braking force. Here,
high stiffness has been observed as a potentially associated with risk factors
for Achilles tendon injuries.
Overuse injuries
are multifactorial resulting from cumulative loading. Therefore, clear
differences between normal and at-risk individuals may not be present for
individual risk factors. Using a holistic measure that incorporates many of the
identified risk factors, focusing on multiple joint movement patterns may give
better insight into overuse injuries. Lower body stiffness may provide such a
measure. To identify how risk factors for Achilles tendon injuries influence
measures of lower body stiffness.
SPORTDiscus, Web
of Science, CINAHL and PubMed were searched for Achilles tendon injury risk
factors related to vertical, leg and joint stiffness in running athletes.
Increased braking
force and low surface stiffness, which were clearly associated with increased
risk of Achilles tendon injuries, were also found to be associated with
increased lower body stiffness. High arches and increased vertical and
propulsive forces were protective for Achilles tendon injuries and were also
associated with increased lower body stiffness. Risk factors for Achilles
tendon injuries that had unclear associations were also investigated with the
evidence trending towards an increase in leg stiffness and a decrease in ankle
stiffness being detrimental to Achilles tendon health.
Few studies have
investigated the link between lower body stiffness and Achilles injury. High
stiffness is potentially associated with risk factors for Achilles tendon
injuries although some of the evidence is controversial. Prospective injury
studies are needed to confirm this relationship. Large amounts of
high-intensity or high-speed work or running on soft surfaces such as sand may
increase Achilles injury risk. Coaches and clinicians working with athletes
with new or reoccurring injuries should consider training practices of the
athlete and recommend reducing speed or sand running if loading is deemed to be
excessive.
Sports medicine
Stiffness as a Risk Factor for cin Running Athletes
Anna V. Lorimer, Patria A. Hume
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