Award
NIH Reporter #5R01AR081062-04
Defining neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy
Recipient
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Award Amount
$317,115.00
Ceiling
$317,115.00
Awarded
August 21, 2025
Identifier
5R01AR081062-04
NIH funded research project to study neuromechanical mechanisms of Achilles tendinopathy using advanced electromyography and biomechanics to develop personalized rehabilitation protocols.
Description
This project aims to determine similarities in tendon loading and biomechanics in patients with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy and how these similarities affect tendon healing, pain, and functional outcomes. Using innovative High-Density surface ElectroMyoGraphy (HDsEMG), the study will measure plantar flexor neuromechanics during ankle testing and walking. The research will define neuromechanical profiles across disease progression and link these profiles with Achilles tendon loading and stress imaging. The goal is to develop precision rehabilitation protocols that incorporate patient-specific neuromechanics and Achilles tendon biomechanics, ultimately testing their clinical efficacy in a randomized trial.