Achilles tendon injury. 5. A model of isokinetic strength training using biofeedback

Plantar flexion strength was isokinetically trained under visual biofeedback control in subjects with long standing unilateral soleus muscle myopathy and plantar flexion weakness after Achilles tendon rupture. The rupture had been surgically treated at least one year before training commenced. In the subjects both static and dynamic plantar flexion strengths were normalized as compared to the uninjured leg pre-training. This was accomplished by a) normalization of muscle fibre cross-sectional profile and area within the myopathic muscles, and b) faster achievement of the peak torque during the angular motion. The successful results imply that this training model can be applied when hypotrophy and possibly calf weakness prevail in the aftermath of Achilles tendon rupture.