How calf muscle mechanics affect Achilles tendon problems
Defining neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy
This project examines how calf muscle control and tendon loading relate to pain and healing in people with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendon problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182492 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team will record how your calf muscles fire using high-density surface sensors and measure tendon loading during ankle strength tests and walking on different slopes. They will change knee angle during tasks to see how muscle contributions shift and will use imaging to measure tendon stress. The study will compare these neuromechanical patterns across stages of Achilles tendinopathy and link them to pain and function. The aim is to identify patterns that predict recovery and point to more personalized rehabilitation exercises.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic mid-portion (mid-substance) Achilles tendinopathy who can safely perform walking and isolated ankle tests and agree to muscle and tendon measurements are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with insertional Achilles tendon problems, recent Achilles surgery, other causes of heel pain, or who cannot safely walk or complete ankle testing may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor rehabilitation exercises so more patients recover and have less long-term pain and disability.
How similar studies have performed: Exercise-based treatments have helped some people but often show mixed long-term results, and this specific neuromechanical profiling approach is relatively new with promising preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baxter, Josh — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Baxter, Josh
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.