Achilles Tendonitis
Reprinted from:
Trackcoach.com
What is it?
Achilles tendonitis is a very common injury for many runners, it is an
inflammation of the achilles tendon. The achilles tendon is the connection between
the heel and the calf muscle. The achilles tendon joins three muscles, the two heads
of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The first symptoms are a vague, dull, aching in
the tendon after running. You will also notice stiffness and aching in the tendon
when you take your first steps of the morning. If the early symptoms are ignored and
you continue to train through this injury, the symptoms will worsen to the point where
pain is present upon the first steps of running and during speedwork, especially
sprinting. Eventually the pain can become so bad that you will not be able to run
and may have difficulty walking. You should not allow this injury to turn into a
chronic and troubling malady leading to constant pain that will never end.
Contributing Factors
There are several factors that can contribute to achilles tendonitis,
including:
Tight posterior leg muscles (calf, hamstrings, etc.)
Sudden increases in training (volume and/or speed work)
Excessive hill running
Improper shoes (stiff sole or excessive heel cushioning)
Excessive shoe wear, allowing for excessive pronation
Biomechanical faults
| |
|
|
|
. |
|
