In vivo assessment of Achilles tendon and plantar-flexor muscle mechanics during dynamic activities

The purpose of this PhD was to assess the in vivo mechanics of the Achilles tendon (AT) during common locomotor movements. To achieve this I used a hybrid technique that combined motion capture and ultrasound (MoCapUs). The motion capture system was used to spatially calibrate the ultrasound image plane, enabling the projection of digitised points from the ultrasound points in three-dimensions in the lab coordinate system. The specific objectives of this research were to first establish the individual and total error of fundamental AT variables, such as its length, strain, and moment arm. [Continues.]