How calf muscle mechanics affect Achilles tendon problems
Official title: Defining neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11182492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $317,115 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081062-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11182492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baxter, Josh — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Baxter, Josh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized Achilles tendon rehab: how loading in daily life affects healing
A person with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy could benefit from a personalized rehab plan based on how their daily activities load the tendon.
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Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Translation
A center-led program aims to uncover basic science and translational tools to improve care for people with Achilles tendinopathy.
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Understanding the muscle-subtendon units in Achilles tendinopathy
This project explores why Achilles tendinopathy affects people differently by looking closely at the ankle’s tendon structure and how it responds to treatments.
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Exosome-based biologic treatment for tendinopathy
A new exosome-based therapy called Altenex aims to treat tendinopathy safely and effectively in adults.
-
Quantifying Achilles Tendon Stress in Dancers to Prevent Tendinopathy
Aimed at female ballet dancers, this project will measure Achilles tendon stress during dance and develop better tools to monitor pain and guide injury prevention and recovery.
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Role of CaV1.2 calcium channels in Achilles tendinopathy
This grant explores how a calcium channel called CaV1.2 may drive tendinopathy in the Achilles tendon and what this could mean for new treatments.
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.