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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06294093

Differences Between Long Distance Road Runners and Treadmill Runners in Achilles Tendon Structure

this study will investigate the structure of the Achilles tendon and functional tests in road runners compared to treadmill runners.

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Key information

Conditions

Achilles Tendon Injury

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

The Academic College at Wingate

Netanya, Israel

About this study

Healthy runners (road and treadmill runners) who run regularly at least twice a week for half an hour, over 80% of the training on the treadmill or road, will be recruited for the study.

All subjects will fill out a demographic questionnaire for personal details (age, sex, height, weight, past injuries, training). Each participant will undergo functional tests in random order: 1. Examination of the morphology of the Achilles tendon - will be examined by ultrasound tissue characterized (UTC) 2. Balance test - Y Balance Test 3. Proprioception test - AMEDA device 4. Muscle strength test - manual dynamometer for testing gastrocnemius muscle strength. 5. Gastrocnemius muscle endurance test - single leg heel raise test until fatigue.

A comparison will be made between the two study groups.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • run regularly at least twice a week for half an hour,
  • over 80% of the training on a treadmill or road

Exclusion criteria

  • pain or injury to Achilles tendon during the 6 months, preventing running for at least 3 days.
  • past Achilles tendon surgeries,
  • sprained ankle in the last six months,
  • lower limb and back pain while running
  • participants who report running with minimalist shoes.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. ultrasound tissue characterized

    Time frame: baseline

    percentage of type 1,2,3,4 fibers within the tendon

  2. Balance test

    Time frame: baseline

    Y Balance Test - composite score: sum of 3 reach directions in centimeters divided by 3 times the limb length then multiplied by 100

  3. Proprioception test

    Time frame: baseline

    AMEDA device - scores between 0 and 1, A higher score represents better proprioception ability.

  4. muscle strength test

    Time frame: baseline

    hand held dynamometer dynamometer assessment of Gastrocnemius muscle

  5. endurance test gastrocnemius muscle

    Time frame: baseline

    number of single leg heel raise test until fatigue

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Haifa

Other

Collaborators

  • Zinman College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences

Registry information

Official study title

Differences Between Long Distance Road Runners and Treadmill Runners in Achilles Tendon Structure, Muscle Strength, Proprioception and Balance Performance

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 5, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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