Journal article
Men with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy have impaired balance on the symptomatic side
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.21(5), pp.479-482
2018
PMID: 29054749
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate single leg standing balance in males with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Design: Cross sectional case study. Methods: Centre of pressure (COP) path length was measured using a Wii Balance Board (WBB) in 21 male participants (20-60 years) with unilateral mid-portion AT during single-limb standing on each limb with eyes open and closed. Ultrasound imaging of both Achilles tendons was also performed by one blinded assessor, and the anteroposterior (AP) thickness and presence of pathology was determined. Comparisons were made between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides for key outcomes, and correlation between COP path length and variables of interest were investigated. Results: Symptomatic Achilles tendons demonstrated significantly increased AP tendon thickness (p < 0.001). Participants with AT demonstrated increased COP path length (sway amplitude) on their affected side during the eyes closed task (p = 0.001). Increased tendon thickness was associated with increased sway amplitude during the eyes open task on both the affected (rho = 0.44, p = 0.045) and unaffected sides (rho = 0.62, p = 0.003). Conclusions: In males with AT, single-leg standing balance with eyes closed is impaired on the symptomatic side. This indicates that neuromuscular deficits affecting functional ability may be present in people with AT during more challenging balance activities. It is unclear if this deficit precedes the onset of symptoms, or is a consequence of tendon pain. Work is now needed to understand the mechanisms that may explain standing balance deficits among people with AT.
Details
- Title
- Men with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy have impaired balance on the symptomatic side
- Authors
- M Scholes (Author) - Complete Sports Care (Australia)S Stadler (Author) - Complete Sports Care (Australia)D Connell (Author) - Monash UniversityC Barton (Author) - Complete Sports Care (Australia)Ross Clark (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringA L Bryant (Author) - The University of MelbourneP Malliaras (Author) - Complete Sports Care (Australia)
- Publication details
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.21(5), pp.479-482
- Publisher
- Elsevier Australia
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.09.594
- ISSN
- 1440-2440; 1878-1861
- PMID
- 29054749
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- Grants
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451045602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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