Early changes in Achilles tendon behaviour in vivo following downhill backwards walking

C W Joseph; E J Bradshaw; T P Furness; J Kemp; Ross Clark

doi:10.1080/02640414.2015.1102955

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Journal article

Peer reviewed

Early changes in Achilles tendon behaviour in vivo following downhill backwards walking

C W Joseph, E J Bradshaw, T P Furness, J Kemp and Ross Clark

Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.34(13), pp.1215-1221

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1102955

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Abstract

eccentric activity

medial gastrocnemius

muscle activity

triceps surae

ultrasound

Downhill backwards walking causes repeated, cyclical loading of the muscle-tendon unit. The effect this type of repeated loading has on the mechanical behaviour of the Achilles tendon is presently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical response of the Achilles tendon aponeurosis complex following a downhill backwards walking protocol. Twenty active males (age: 22.3±3.0 years; mass: 74.7±5.6 kg; height: 1.8±0.7 m) performed 60 min of downhill (8.5°), backwards walking on a treadmill at -0.67 m . s-1. Data were collected before, immediately post, and 24-, 48- and 168-h post-downhill backwards walking. Achilles tendon aponeurosis elongation, strain and stiffness were measured using ultrasonography. Muscle force decreased immediately post-downhill backward walking (P = 0.019). There were increases in Achilles tendon aponeurosis stiffness at 24-h post-downhill backward walking (307±179.6 N . mm-1, P = 0.004), and decreases in Achilles tendon aponeurosis strain during maximum voluntary contraction at 24 (3.8±1.7%, P = 0.008) and 48 h (3.9±1.8%, P = 0.002) post. Repeated cyclical loading of downhill backwards walking affects the behaviour of the muscle-tendon unit, most likely by altering muscle compliance, and these changes result in tendon stiffness increases. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Details

Title: Early changes in Achilles tendon behaviour in vivo following downhill backwards walking
Authors: C W Joseph (Author) - Federation University
E J Bradshaw (Author) - Australian Catholic University
T P Furness (Author) - Australian Catholic University
J Kemp (Author) - Australian Catholic University
Ross Clark (Author) - Australian Catholic University
Publication details: Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.34(13), pp.1215-1221
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1102955
ISSN: 0264-0414
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451079302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences

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