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Runners with mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy have greater triceps surae intracortical inhibition than healthy controls
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Runners with mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy have greater triceps surae intracortical inhibition than healthy controls

Gabriel L. Fernandes, Lucas B. R. Orssatto, Anthony J. Shield and Gabriel S. Trajano
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, Vol.32(4), pp.728-736
04/2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14111
PMID: 34897835

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11 Times Cited - Web of Science

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to investigate short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and muscle function in the triceps surae of runners with mid‐portion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Methods Runners with (n = 11) and without (n = 13) AT were recruited. Plantar flexor isometric peak torque and rate of torque development (RTD) were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Triceps surae endurance was measured as single‐leg heel raise (SLHR) to failure test. SICI was assessed using paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation during a sustained contraction at 10% of plantar flexor isometric peak torque. Results Triceps surae SICI was 14.3% (95% CI: −2.1 to 26.4) higher in AT than in the control group (57.9%, 95% CI: 36.2 to 79.6; and 43.6% 95% CI: 16.2 to 71.1, p = 0.032) irrespective of the tested muscle. AT performed 16 (95% CI: 7.9 to 23.3, p < 0.001) fewer SLHR repetitions on the symptomatic side compared with controls, and 14 (95% CI: 5.8 to 22.0, p = 0.004), fewer SLHR repetitions on the non‐symptomatic compared with controls. We found no between‐groups differences in isometric peak torque (p = 0.971) or RTD (p = 0.815). Perspective Our data suggest greater intracortical inhibition for the triceps surae muscles for the AT group accompanied by reduced SLHR endurance, without deficits in isometric peak torque or RTD. The increased SICI observed in the AT group could be negatively influencing triceps surae endurance; thus, rehabilitation aiming to reduce intracortical inhibition should be considered to improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, SLHR is a useful clinical tool to assess plantar flexor function in AT patients.

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