Doctors of Running Podcast #275 The Latest Research on Achilles Tendon Injuries
21 snips
Jan 7, 2026 
Dr. Karin Sibernagel, a tendon researcher and physical therapy professor, discusses Achilles anatomy and why tendons fail. She covers how muscle and tendon interact in running. Practical topics include assessing calf readiness, progressive loading rehab, pain‑monitoring during activity, shockwave therapy, and how shoes and super shoes change tendon load.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Tendon Design Enables Energy Efficient Running
- Tendons are energy-storing tissues optimized for high forces with low metabolic turnover, letting them stretch and recoil to save muscular energy during running.
- Achilles structure includes twisted sub-tendons from gastrocnemius and soleus, which increases energy storage and recoil efficiency.
Muscle Holds While Tendon Stores Energy
- During running the calf often acts near-isometrically to hold tension so the Achilles stretches and recoils, sparing muscle energy.
- Tendon low metabolism means it tolerates repeated stretch–recoil but also heals much slower than muscle.
Test Calf Function With Heel Rises And Single Leg Hops
- Use multi-domain tests rather than one metric; include standing heel-rise endurance, height/work, and hopping to assess calf–tendon readiness.
- Single-leg pogo hopping reveals functional deficits: injured side shows excess shoulder/compensation and lower bounce.