Keywords

Achilles tendon; subtendon; stiffness; mechanical energy storage; kinetics; ultrasound

Abstract

This study aims to measure the gastrocnemii Achilles subtendon passive stiffness and energy storage during walking. Stiffness was first determined using a noninvasive method that combines ultrasound, motion capture, musculoskeletal modeling, and a force transducer. Eight healthy participants were tested using this method to obtain the passive force-displacement relationship of the Achilles tendon at two different knee angles to calculate stiffness of the gastrocnemii subtendon. A gait analysis session was then performed using ultrasound, motion capture, and an instrumented treadmill at self-selected slow, normal, and fast walking speeds, using stiffness to calculate the subtendon’s force and energy storage. Gastrocnemii Achilles subtendon stiffness measurements were found to lie lower than previous studies as the soleus Achilles subtendon is excluded. Average gastrocnemii Achilles subtendon force between slow and fast walking trials increased by 39% during terminal stance. Average energy storage between slow and fast walking trials also increased by 86% during terminal stance. This approach for direct measurement of stiffness and energy storage properties of the Achilles tendon can be further utilized to evaluate surgical outcomes, improve treatment planning for various musculoskeletal conditions, and enhance the accuracy of musculoskeletal modeling.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Choi, Hwan

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Thesis Discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright