Author: McKenna Englhardt

Imagine trying to withstand a force 12 times your own body weight. Sounds impossible, yet that’s what your Achilles tendon (AT) does during something as simple as running. As the strongest tendon in the body, it’s essential for every movement. But the same repetitive motions that strengthen this tendon can also lead to injury. Achilles tendinopathy, pain and swelling along the tendon, is one of the most common overuse injuries in both runners and dancers. So how can similar motions account for both AT strength and damage?