Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(12): 913-918
DOI: 10.1055/a-2113-1026
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Effects of Body Weight Support in Running on Achilles Tendon Loading

Callie Pohlman
1   Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
3   Sports Physical Therapy, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, United States
,
Andrew Pardee
1   Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
3   Sports Physical Therapy, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, United States
,
Mikey Friedman
1   Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
3   Sports Physical Therapy, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, United States
,
Drew Rutherford
1   Health Professions, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
3   Sports Physical Therapy, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, United States
,
Charles Nathan Vannatta 
4   La Crosse Institute for Movement Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
,
Thomas W. Kernozek 
2   Health Professions, La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS), La Crosse, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding Information University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduate Studies — 2022-CP-17
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Abstract

Achilles tendon (AT) tendinopathy is common in runners. Repetitive AT loading may play a role in etiology. Interventions such as body weight support (BWS) may reduce loading on the AT in running. Examine how ground reaction force, AT loading, foot strike, and cadence variables change in running with BWS. Twenty-four healthy female runners free from injury were examined. Participants ran on an instrumented treadmill with and without BWS using a harness-based system at a standardized speed. The system has 4 elastic cords affixed to a harness that is attached to a frame-like structure. Kinematic data and kinetic data were used in a musculoskeletal model (18 segments and 16 degrees of freedom) to determine AT loading variables, foot strike angle, and cadence. Paired t-tests were used to compare each variable between conditions. Ground reaction force was 9.0% lower with BWS (p<.05). Peak AT stress, force, and impulse were 9.4, 11.7%, and 14.8% lower when using BWS in running compared to no support (p<.05). Foot strike angle was similar (p<.05) despite cadence being reduced (p<.05). BWS may reduce AT loading and impulse variables during running. This may be important in rehabilitation efforts.

Key words

ankle - modeling - kinetics - kinematics


Publication History

Received: 17 February 2023

Accepted: 12 June 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 June 2023

Article published online:
15 August 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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