Why Achilles tears have spiked in the NBA 🏀 View Instagram Video →
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.
Want a physical print that we print and ship to you? Shop Physical Print →
Thanks a ton to @medspired for the research and help. NBA pace & distance trends: @basketball.reference. Workload context (Tatum timeline): @basketball.reference
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)
Why Achilles tears have spiked in the NBA 🏀 View Instagram Video →
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.
Want a physical print that we print and ship to you? Shop Physical Print →
Thanks a ton to @medspired for the research and help. NBA pace & distance trends: @basketball.reference. Workload context (Tatum timeline): @basketball.reference
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)
