Dorsiflexion capacity affects achilles tendon loading during drop landings

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Decreased dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) is linked to increased injury risk during landings.
• Understanding ankle mechanics during landings is crucial for injury prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of weight-bearing dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) on ankle mechanics during drop landings.
• To determine if limited DROM influences how individuals absorb impact forces.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight male participants were categorized into low and high DROM groups.
• Drop landings were performed at two velocities, with 3D ankle kinematics and muscle EMG recorded.
• Ankle mechanics and muscle activation were analyzed in relation to DROM groups.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in peak ground reaction force or muscle activation were found between DROM groups.
• The low DROM group used a greater percentage of their available DROM during landings.
• The low DROM group exhibited increased ankle eversion throughout the landing phase.

Conclusions:

• Limited DROM leads to greater utilization of plantarflexor muscles at a lengthened and everted position during landings.
• Athletes with low DROM may experience chronic overload of their plantarflexor muscle-tendon units.
• This overload could elevate the risk of injuries like Achilles tendinopathy.