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. 2020 Feb;55(2):176-180.
doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-49-19. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Running a Marathon-Its Influence on Achilles Tendon Structure

Lucas Maciel Rabello  1 , Iris Sophie Albers  1 , Mathijs van Ark  1   2   3 , Ron L Diercks  4 , Inge van den Akker-Scheek  1 , Johannes Zwerver  1
Affiliations

Running a Marathon-Its Influence on Achilles Tendon Structure

Lucas Maciel Rabello et al. J Athl Train. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Context: Several studies have been conducted to better understand the effect of load on the Achilles tendon structure. However, the effect of a high cumulative load consisting of repetitive cyclic movements, such as those that occur during the running of a marathon, on Achilles tendon structure is not yet clear. Clinicians, coaches, and athletes will benefit from knowledge about the effects of a marathon on the structure of the Achilles tendon.

Objective: To investigate the short-term response of the Achilles tendon structure to running a marathon.

Design: Case series (prospective).

Setting: Sports medicine centers.

Patients or other participants: Ten male nonelite runners who ran in a marathon.

Main outcomes measure(s): Tendon structure was assessed before and 2 and 7 days after a marathon using ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC), an imaging tool that quantifies tendon organization in 4 echo types (I-IV). Echo type I represents the most stable echo pattern, and echo type IV, the least stable.

Results: At 7 days postmarathon, both the insertional and midportion structure changed significantly. At both sites, the percentage of echo type II increased (insertion P < .01; midportion P = .02) and the percentages of echo types III and IV decreased (type III: insertion P = .01; midportion P = .02; type IV: insertion P = .01; midportion P < .01). Additionally, at the insertion, the percentage of echo type I decreased (P < .01).

Conclusions: We observed the effects of running a marathon on the Achilles tendon structure 7 days after the event. Running the marathon combined with the activity performed shortly thereafter might have caused the changes in tendon structure. This result emphasizes the importance of sufficient recovery time after running a marathon to prevent overuse injuries.

Keywords: ankle; lower leg; men.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient position during ultrasound tissue characterization examination.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound tissue characterization (transverse) images of the midportion Achilles tendon of a participant before and 2 and 7 days after a marathon showing the increase in the percentage of echo type II (blue). The changes in echo types III and IV were very small and cannot be seen in a single frame analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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