Achilles tendon injury risk factors associated with running.

Abstract in brief

• Research on Achilles tendon injuries in runners is extensive, but experts still struggle to identify exactly who is most at risk due to the injury's complex nature.
• The strongest evidence shows that high vertical forces and high arch height may reduce injury risk, while high braking forces could increase it, and gait retraining might help lower risk by adjusting how runners land.
• Many biomechanical factors, like ground reaction forces and muscle activity, have unclear links to injuries, indicating that Achilles overuse injuries result from multiple factors; preventive strategies include avoiding soft surfaces, slow recovery runs, and possibly using orthotics or strength and gait training.