Open AccessInvestigation of running foot strike technique on Achilles tendon force using ultrasound techniques and a Hill‐type model
Author(s) -
Stearne Sarah M,
Rubenson Jonas,
Alderson Jacqueline
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of foot and ankle research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.763
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 1757-1146
DOI - 10.1186/1757-1146-5-s1-p25
Subject(s) - achilles tendon , medicine , foot (prosody) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , ultrasound , orthopedic surgery , tendon , anatomy , surgery , physical therapy , radiology , philosophy , linguistics
Background It is reported that 75% of long distance runners use a rearfoot strike (RFS) technique. This percentage decreases in faster runners, where the incidence of midfoot and forefoot strikers (FFS) increases [1]. It is possible that FFS better utilises the passive-elastic mechanisms of the lower limb reducing energy cost. Williams et al. [2] found runners who converted from RFS to FFS during a single training experienced increased fatigue and delayed onset muscle soreness in the calf musculature, indicating increased muscle work. This research aims to investigate the role of the Achilles tendon and triceps surae muscles in FFS versus RFS running hypothesising that the FFS will have increased Achilles tendon force.