Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31086731›Full record

ArticlePeerJ2019

Training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness affects tendon strain pattern during running.

Amelie Werkhausen, Neil J Cronin, Kirsten Albracht, Gøran Paulsen, Askild V Larsen, Jens Bojsen-Møller, Olivier R Seynnes

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PeerJ, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
4.3field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 36 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.

Amelie WerkhausenDepartment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Neil J CroninNeuromuscular Research Centre, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Kirsten AlbrachtInstitute of Biomechanics and Orthopedics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Gøran PaulsenThe Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, Oslo, Norway.
Askild V LarsenDepartment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Jens Bojsen-MøllerDepartment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Olivier R SeynnesDepartment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences · NOFH Aachen · DEUniversity of Jyväskylä · FI

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDuring the stance phase of running, the elasticity of the Achilles tendon enables the utilisation of elastic energy and allows beneficial contractile conditions for the triceps surae muscles. However, the effect of changes in tendon mechanical properties induced by chronic loading is still poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness would result in reduced tendon strain during the stance phase of running, which would reduce fascicle strains in the triceps surae muscles, particularly in the mono-articular soleus.

methodsEleven subjects were assigned to a training group performing isometric single-leg plantarflexion contractions three times per week for ten weeks, and another ten subjects formed a control group. Before and after the training period, Achilles tendon stiffness was estimated, and muscle-tendon mechanics were assessed during running at preferred speed using ultrasonography, kinematics and kinetics.

resultsAchilles tendon stiffness increased by 18% ( DISCUSSION: These results show that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness altered tendon behaviour during running. Despite training-induced changes in tendon mechanical properties and recoil behaviour, the data suggest that fascicle shortening patterns were preserved for the running speed that we examined. The asymmetrical changes in tendon strain patterns supports the notion that simple in-series models do not fully explain the mechanical output of the muscle-tendon unit during a complex task like running.

Indexed as

Achilles tendonArchitectural gear ratioGastrocnemiusRunningSoleusStiffnessTendon properties

Identifiers

PMID31086731
PMCPMC6486809
OpenAlexW2940620168

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.