achilles tendon injury -
causes
The are a number of things that can contribute to achilles tendon injury, namely;
Foot type
To main foot types that can contribute to achilles tendon injury are;
A rigid foot type
A rigid foot causes the foot to spend more time during the running/ walking cycle on the forefoot, this causes the achilles tendon to be used more agressively and for longer throughout the gait cycle. This leads to associated overuse and overpull of the tendon causing injury.
See the video below
A flexible flat foot
A flexible flat foot, sometimes known as a pronated foot can cause excess side to side motion within the shoe this causes a "bowstring" effect putting excess stress on the achilles tendon, leading to injury.
see video below
Tight muscle groups
Tight hamstrings cause the knee to remain flexed during the gait cycle which causes early heel lift at
the foot this constant biomechanically stressed position can lead to overpull and subsequent overuse of the achilles tendon.
Tight gastrocnemius causes overpull on the achilles tendon and can lead to injury.
Heel counter on the shoe
The tab at the back of a shoe, particularly a runing shoe can irritate the achilles tendon to such a point that injury can occur. This is particularly the case when the individual has a flexible flat foot type.
Overtraining...
...or increasing sporting activity too quickly can lead to achilles tendon injury.