High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon.

StudyFrontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology· 2026

High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon.

Shota Enomoto, Kohta Ito

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Foot & AnkleStudyQ1IF 5.5

Twist in the Achilles tendon produces up to 101 N of lateral force

High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon.

Shota Enomoto, Kohta Ito

Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2026

Background

The Achilles tendon-the largest and strongest of the many tendons in the human body-consists of subtendons arising from each head of the triceps surae.

Results

twist deflects tendon force sideways instead of straight down the leg

Lateral force

101N

Anterior force

63N

More results

These subtendons run helically and intertwine to form a twisted three-dimensional structure.

However, it remains unclear how the presence or degree of twist affects the mechanical function of the lower limbs.

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Conclusion

These results indicate that the uniaxial contractile force generated by the triceps surae is transformed into triaxial forces by the twisted Achilles tendon and is redistributed in a complex three-dimensional manner through inter-subtendon interactions.

High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon.

High horizontal force and lateral force transmission induced by the twist of the Achilles tendon.

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