Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Jun 17;2(1):44-8.
Print 2012 Jan.

Achilles tendinopathy in amateur runners: role of adiposity (Tendinopathies and obesity)

Michele Abate  1 , Francesco Oliva, Cosima Schiavone, Vincenzo Salini
Affiliations

Achilles tendinopathy in amateur runners: role of adiposity (Tendinopathies and obesity)

Michele Abate et al. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. .

Abstract

Obesity is an important risk factor for Achilles tendinopathy, and running is usually carried out to reduce excess body weight. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy in young over-weight amateur runners. MALE RUNNERS AND NON RUNNERS WERE RECRUITED AND, IN EACH CATEGORY, DIVIDED IN TWO GROUPS: normal weight, and overweight. Data about Achilles tendon thickness, vascularisation and structural abnormalities were collected using a Power Doppler Ultrasonography device. Achilles tendon thickness was greater in both normal weight or overweight runners, but the difference was significant only in normal weight subjects. In non - runners, thickness was significantly higher only in over-weight subjects. Sonographic abnormalities were significantly prevalent in overweight runners. Running is associated to a physiologic hypertrophy of Achilles tendon in normal weight subjects. Overweight runners may precociously develop tendon abnormalities, due to the increased stress and the unfavourable milieu of repair.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; obesity; running; tendinopathy; ultrasound.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
In physiological conditions, mechanical loading enhances, via integrins, both GFs release, with extracellular matrix and neofibrils synthesis, and metalloproteinases secretion, with matrix degradation. GFs = Growth Factors; MMPs = Metalloproteinases.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
When the stretching of collagen fibers overcomes tendon limits of adaptation (overload), catabolic processes prevail: several pathologic pathways are activated, and the final result is a failed healing response.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The metabolic activity of several cells is influenced by multiple factors, so that the capacity of tendon adaptation to mechanical loads is characterized by a large individual variability.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Tenforde AS, Sayres LC, McCurdy ML, Collado H, Sainani KL, Fredericson M. Overuse injuries in high school runners: lifetime prevalence and prevention strategies. PM R. 2011 Feb;3(2):125–131. - PubMed
    1. Hirschmüller A, Frey V, Deibert P, et al. Achilles tendon power Doppler sonography in 953 long distance runners - a cross sectional study. Ultraschall Med. 2010 Aug;31(4):387–393. - PubMed
    1. Kujala UM, Sarna S, Kaprio J. Cumulative incidence of Achilles tendon rupture and tendinopathy in male former elite athletes. Clin J Sport Med. 2005 May;15(3):133–135. - PubMed
    1. Hess GW. Achilles tendon rupture: a review of etiology, population, anatomy, risk factors, and injury prevention. Foot Ankle Spec. 2010 Feb;3(1):29–32. - PubMed
    1. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2000;894:i–xii. 1–253. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources