★Professor Takahashi, Associate Professor Arita, and Ph.D. student Iwamoto have published a study in the Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions.
Considering the inherent asymmetrical movement patterns in Kendo and the higher prevalence of Achilles tendon injuries in the left leg, this study investigated bilateral differences in the morphology and elastic properties of the Achilles tendons in Kendo athletes. Additionally, the study examined the potential influence of these differences on jump performance.
This study revealed that the maximum cross-sectional area of the left Achilles tendon was significantly larger than that of the right; however, no significant lateral differences were observed in jump performance. These results suggest that the repetitive mechanical loading associated with the characteristic left-foot jump in Kendo may induce different adaptive responses in the Achilles tendons of each leg.
This research offers foundational insights that could inform the development of preventive strategies against Achilles tendon injuries.Physiological Reports
【Title】Bilateral Characteristics of the Achilles Tendon and Their Relationship with Jump Performance in University Kendo Athletes
【Authors】Nene Iwamoto, Yuji Arita, Hideyuki Takahashi
【Journal】Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions
【Publication date】June, 1, 2025
【DOI】10.22540/JMNI-25-232