Surface Electromyography and Videographic Analysis of Calf Muscles in Runners with Achilles Tendon Disorder

This study explores the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) and videographic analysis to analyse calf muscle activity in runners with and without Achilles tendon disorder. Achilles tendon injuries are common in runners due to repetitive, high-impact stress of pushing off the toes and eccentric overloading, and early diagnosis is crucial. The research aims to compare muscle activation patterns during specific tasks, i.e., static running and single leg heel raise, evaluating sEMG and videographic analysis as diagnostic tools. It is designed as an observational study involving 30 university players, divided equally into injured and healthy groups, with electrode placement on the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles following SENIAM guidelines. Outcome measures include RMS peak amplitude, onset timing, and muscle acceleration. A pilot study was conducted to estimate the effect size and determine the sample size. The study intends to provide evidence on how sEMG and videographic analysis can differentiate neuromuscular efficiency between healthy and injured players, potentially improving diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation strategies for Achilles tendon disorders.