Skip to content

Study note

Added mass increases Achilles tendon stress in female runners.

PMID 37011454 (2023): injury, load — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 37011454

Added mass increases Achilles tendon stress in female runners.

Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland)2023 • DOI 10.1016/j.foot.2023.102028

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: controlled study.
  • Population relevance: mixed/unclear athlete specificity.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

CONTEXT: Achilles tendon (AT) injuries are common in female runners and military personnel where increased AT loading may be a contributing factor. (controlled study; runners).

The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: CONTEXT: Achilles tendon (AT) injuries are common in female runners and military personnel where increased AT loading may be a contributing factor.
  • The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions.
  • Population: runners.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: injury, load (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (runners) working on injury risk.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: runners.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 37011454 (2023) — Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland).

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

There was a 4.3% and 8.8% increase in AT stress and strain during the 4.5 kg and 9.0 kg added load conditions, respectively, compared to baseline.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

Adaptive AI coach for iPhone

Meet your adaptive AI coach.

Tell your coach what you are training for. It builds the plan, follows the work you complete, and adapts upcoming training when recovery, your schedule, or real life changes.

Keep going

Sources