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Achilles Tendon Injury Risk Factors Associated with Running

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Abstract

Background

Research into the nature of overuse Achilles tendon injuries is extensive, yet uncertainty remains around how to identify athletes susceptible to Achilles tendon injury.

Objective

To identify the strength of evidence for biomechanical risk factors associated with Achilles tendon injuries.

Research Methods

SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PubMed were searched for Achilles tendon injury risk factors and biomechanical measures which are altered in runners with Achilles tendon injuries, excluding ruptures. Fifteen articles were included in the analysis.

Results

Two variables, high vertical forces and high arch, showed strong evidence for reduced injury risk. High propulsive forces and running on stiffer surfaces may also be protective. Only one biomechanical variable, high braking force, showed clear evidence for increasing Achilles injury risk.

Discussion

Gait retraining to direct the centre of mass further forward to reduce high braking force could be useful in decreasing the risk of Achilles injury. The majority of biomechanical risk factors examined showed unclear results, which is likely due to the multifactorial nature of Achilles overuse injuries. Many risk factors are related to how the athlete’s body interacts with the environment during gait, including ground reaction forces, muscle activity both prior to landing and immediately post ground contact, and joint motion throughout stance.

Conclusion

Multiple risk factors have been associated with the development of Achilles tendon injuries in running athletes but most effects remain unclear. Advice for athletes recovering from Achilles tendon injuries could include avoiding soft surfaces and reducing the pace of recovery runs. Orthotic intervention could assist athletes with low arches but modification of pronation should be viewed with caution. Strength training and gait retraining could be beneficial for reducing injury risk.

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Acknowledgements

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) funded this review. Anna Lorimer was funded by the AUT University Vice Chancellors PhD scholarship. Anna Lorimer and Patria Hume have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review. There are no competing interests by the authors. The corresponding author has the right to grant on behalf of all authors, and does grant on behalf of all authors, an exclusive license on a worldwide basis to the journal editor to permit this article to be published in the journal. Anna Lorimer reviewed the literature as the basis for her later PhD biomechanical studies on the effects of lower-limb stiffness on running mechanics and injury. Patria Hume, as Anna Lorimer’s PhD supervisor, with experience in epidemiology injury prevention and sports injury biomechanics, helped determine the focus of the review, examined the identified literature and edited the manuscript. Both authors approved the final manuscript.

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  1. Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), AUT-Millennium, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, New Zealand

    Anna V. Lorimer & Patria A. Hume

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  1. Anna V. Lorimer
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Correspondence to Anna V. Lorimer.

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Lorimer, A.V., Hume, P.A. Achilles Tendon Injury Risk Factors Associated with Running. Sports Med 44, 1459–1472 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0209-3

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