The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest structures in your legs. It is vital for running, walking and even standing. The Achilles tendon endures a lot of stress throughout your normal daily routine. When you perform high-intensity exercise and activities, such as running long distance, the Achilles tendon can be pushed to its limits and may be exposed to an increased risk of injury.
Achilles Function
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Like other connective tissue, this tendon helps connect moving parts of the body to one another. In the case of the Achilles, the calf muscles are able to contract and relax to control joints in the lower body, particularly the heel. Without tendons, the muscles would be unable to anchor to your body's skeletal structure, which would render them useless.
Effects of Running
Running requires the use of the Achilles tendon to control the foot and heel. Anytime you move the foot joint or even tense it for stability, the Achilles tendon is called into action. Over long periods of time, excessive stress can cause some injuries to develop on the tendon. You may develop tendinitis in the Achilles, which is characterized by inflammation in the tendon due to overuse or high stress. It is also possible that the heel will develop a calcification, which can result from extended tendinitis episodes, and weaken the tendon's connection to the heel bone.
Treatment
Icing the tendon after exercise can help you reduce inflammation after a run. You can continue exercise with low-stress and low-impact exercises, such as bicycling, swimming and elliptical training. Medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can help treat pain and swelling in the tendon, and performing calf stretches can also improve the condition of your tendon. If these treatment methods fail to yield any improvements, though, it may be necessary to take some time off from running while your Achilles tendon heals.
Prevention
Stretching the Achilles tendon before exercise can help limber up the tendon and improve its elasticity. You can also try applying heat to the tendon. If your tendon is weak, you may want to reduce the mileage you run at least temporarily while the Achilles regains its strength. This is particularly helpful if injury has already occurred and you are trying to prevent the condition from worsening. Cross-training will allow you to continue exercising the body while alleviating the constant high stress placed on the Achilles tendon by running.
