Achilles Tendon Load is Progressively Increased with Reductions in Walking Speed

Introduction: Achilles tendon rehabilitation protocols commonly recommend a gradual increase in walking speed to progressively intensify tendon loading. This study used transmission-mode ultrasound to evaluate the influence of walking speed on loading of the human Achilles tendon in vivo. Methods: Axial transmission speed of ultrasound was measured in the right Achilles tendon of 33 adults (mean ± SD: age, 29 ± 3 yr; height, 1.725 ± 0.069 m; weight, 71.4 ± 19.9 kg) during unshod, steady-state treadmill walking at three speeds (slow, 0.85 ± 0.12 ms; preferred, 1.10 ± 0.13 m·s−1; fast, 1.35 ± 0.20 m·s−1). Ankle kinematics, spatiotemporal gait parameters and vertical ground reaction force were simultaneously recorded. Statistical comparisons were made using repeated-measures ANOVA models. Results: Increasing walking speed was associated with higher cadence, longer step length, shorter stance duration, greater ankle plantarflexion, higher vertical ground reaction force peaks, and a greater loading rate (P

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