Effect of Age on Achilles Tendon Condition for Long Distance Runners: A Preliminary Report

Authors

Alyson R. Radford, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Summer S. Hollifield, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Joshua Sponbeck, Weber State UniversityFollow
Camille L. Nguyen, Brigham Young University, ProvoFollow
Aaron W. JohnsonFollow

Abstract

Running is one of the most common forms of exercise. Tendinopathy is among the most prevalent injuries found among runners. Ultrasound imaging of tendinopathy presents as an enlargement of the tendon with a decrease in echo intensity. Previous research has found that aging leads to an increased susceptibility to tendinopathy. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine how the effects of aging will impact the structural change of the Achilles tendon (AT) before and after long distance running. METHODS: 27 senior runners (age: 70.9±9.8 yrs; Female=15 Male=12) ran 5k or 10k distances at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Each participant was imaged before and after their race. AT cross-sectional area (CSA) from each run was measured twice then averaged. RESULTS: No significant change was observed in the Right AT pre (n=19 tendons, 0.61±0.17 cm²) to post run (0.59±0.18 cm²) (p=0.556). Age (p<0.001) and sex (p=0.004) were significant covariates for right AT CSA. The left AT significantly increased in CSA from pre (n=20 tendons, 0.64±0.22 cm²) to post run (0.68±0.24 cm²) (p=0.05). Sex was a significant covariate variable (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: In senior runners, differences were observed between the right and left AT CSA. The right AT CSA did not change during a run while the left AT CSA was larger prerun compared to the right and it showed a significant increase postrun. We speculate that an enlarged left AT CSA may indicate the presence of pre-existing structural pathology in some runners especially considering the enlargement of the tendon postrun. We plan to investigate this relationship by analyzing self-reported functional surveys and evaluating tendon morphological characteristics. Additionally including height, weight, physical activity level in the statistical model will likely better inform the relationships observed.

Recommended Citation

Radford, Alyson R.; Hollifield, Summer S.; Sponbeck, Joshua; Nguyen, Camille L.; and Johnson, Aaron W. (2024) "Effect of Age on Achilles Tendon Condition for Long Distance Runners: A Preliminary Report," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 111.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/111