Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Why Achilles tears have spiked in the NBA 🏀 Original video from Instagram here.
There were eight ruptures last season, most of them happening on the same “false step” movement and almost all with tendons that were already weakened before the moment of failure.
Add in rising workloads, faster pace, more distance covered, and year-round basketball from a young age, and the patterns start to emerge.
Thanks a ton to @medspired for the research and help
Sources / Studies Used:
Achilles injury mechanisms & false-step biomechanics: Journal of Athletic Training (2024)
Tendon degeneration prevalence (97%): Foot & Ankle Surgery (2023)
Risk factors, dorsiflexion angles (<48°): Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2024)
NBA pace & distance trends: @basketball.reference
Workload context (Tatum timeline): @basketball.reference
Why Achilles tears have spiked in the NBA 🏀 Original video from Instagram here.
There were eight ruptures last season, most of them happening on the same “false step” movement and almost all with tendons that were already weakened before the moment of failure.
Add in rising workloads, faster pace, more distance covered, and year-round basketball from a young age, and the patterns start to emerge.
Thanks a ton to @medspired for the research and help
Sources / Studies Used:
Achilles injury mechanisms & false-step biomechanics: Journal of Athletic Training (2024)
Tendon degeneration prevalence (97%): Foot & Ankle Surgery (2023)
Risk factors, dorsiflexion angles (<48°): Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2024)
NBA pace & distance trends: @basketball.reference
Workload context (Tatum timeline): @basketball.reference