Proximal and Distal Impairments in Runners With Achilles Tendinopathy Compared With Matched Controls

Rathod, V, Oh, C, Ling, W, and Rao, S. Proximal and distal impairments in runners with Achilles tendinopathy compared with matched controls. J Strength Cond Res 39(10): e1202-e1211, 2025-This study investigated drop countermovement jump (DCMJ) performance in runners with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Recreational runners with midportion AT ( n = 23) were compared with age- and sex-matched control (CON) runners ( n = 23). Subjects performed a minimum of 3 trials of single leg DCMJ that involved jumping off a 20 cm box. Pain during and after jump performance was assessed using a Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment- AT and Tampa scale of Kinesiophobia were recorded. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to assess jump height and lower extremity joint kinematics. Paired t-tests ( p < 0.05) and regression analyses were conducted to examine between-group differences and the role of group membership (AT/CON) age, body mass index, and weekly running mileage on dependent variables. Runners with AT demonstrated impaired single-leg DCMJ performance, particularly in ankle kinematics during the propulsion phase. Jump height and ankle plantarflexion during the propulsion phase were significant predictors of group membership (AT/CON). In addition, clinically relevant subgroups with reduced hip extension torque were identified. Drop countermovement jump proved to be a robust assessment tool for evaluating AT in high-impact sports subjects. Notably, all subjects were highly functioning recreational runners with no ankle strength deficits or symptoms during the jump; however, moderate-to-large performance deficits were found in the AT group. Clinicians may incorporate DCMJ assessments to monitor progress and guide rehabilitation in individuals with AT.