Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41708877›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Two-week cumulative tendon load estimated from insole sensor contact forces is associated with plantar flexor function in Achilles tendinopathy.

Ke Song, Michelle P Kwon, Andy K Smith, Ryan T Pohlig, Karin Grävare Silbernagel, Josh R Baxter

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ke SongDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3737 Market Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. ke.song@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Michelle P KwonDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3737 Market Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Andy K SmithDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
Ryan T PohligBiostatistics Core Facility, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
Karin Grävare SilbernagelDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
Josh R BaxterDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3737 Market Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Funding

Research Project 2P50AR080581 · NIAMS · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI LOUIS J SOSLOWSKY · 2023 to 2026
$7.9M
Tendon loading profiles that promote healing in Achilles tendinopathyR01AR078898 · NIAMS · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI Josh Baxter · 2021 to 2026
$2.5M
NIAMS NIH HHS P50 AR080581NIAMS NIH HHS R01 AR078898NIH HHS R01AR078898
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tendon loading dictates rehabilitation outcomes in Achilles tendinopathy but is difficult to track in the real world. In this study, we used instrumented insole sensors to monitor Achilles tendon load for two weeks in fifteen individuals with Achilles tendinopathy, who also completed assessments of their plantar flexor strength, dynamic function, and survey-based outcomes. We used insole data to estimate two types of cumulative Achilles tendon load: overall (≥ 0.3×body weight) and high-level load (≥ 3×body weight). We determined Pearson correlations between (1) overall and high-level tendon loads, (2) plantar flexor moment, power, work, (3) heel raise height, repetitions, countermovement jump height, and (4) self-reported symptoms and activity. Overall cumulative tendon load moderately correlated to isometric plantar flexor moment (r = 0.543) and weakly to isokinetic and dynamic functions (0.128–0.413). Cumulative high-level tendon load strongly correlated to heel raise height (0.687) and fast isokinetic moment (0.625), and moderately to other functional measures (0.470–0.592). Symptoms weakly correlated to overall (0.392) and moderately to high-level load (0.436). Self-reported activity weakly correlated to overall (0.297) and strongly to high-level load (0.617). Stronger associations with the high-level Achilles tendon load than the overall load suggest that clinical function assessments provide insight into the real-world performance of high-loading activities. In contrast, the disconnect between overall tendon loading and plantar flexor function may explain the variability in recovery outcomes. Self-reported activity and standard heel raises represent high-level tendon load well, yet they do not always suggest functional deficit. Sensor-monitored tendon load shows promise as a new biomarker for real-world plantar flexor function in Achilles tendinopathy.

Indexed as

Achilles TendonTendinopathyAdultBiomechanical PhenomenaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedWeight-BearingAnkleBiomechanicsFootPhysical therapyRehabilitationWearable sensors

Identifiers

PMID41708877
PMCPMC13004889

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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.