Publications
Climbing is associated with tissue-specific mechanical adaptations of the plantar fascia and achilles tendon
Authors: Michal Burzynski 1, Alicja Jurecka 2, Jerzy Walocha 3, Bartosz Rutowicz 3, Anna Groszyk 4, Konrad Kwolek 5, Henryk Liszka 5
Affiliations:
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Centre, Department of Rehabilitation, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University – Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Warsaw Medical University of Tadeusz Kozluk, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Krakow, Poland
Journal: Foot and Ankle Surgery - October 2026 (DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2026.10.001)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Musculoskeletal health
- Myofascia
Background: The effects of amateur climbing on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of foot and lower leg soft tissues remain poorly understood.
Methods: This cross-sectional study compared 33 amateur climbers with 32 non-climbing controls. MyotonPRO assessment evaluated oscillation frequency, dynamic stiffness, logarithmic decrement, mechanical stress relaxation time, and creep at selected foot and lower leg soft-tissue sites. Foot Posture Index was used. Exploratory analyses were performed according to climbing experience.
Results: Climbers demonstrated tissue-specific differences in selected myotonometric variables. The most consistent profile was observed in the distal plantar fascia beneath the fifth ray and the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon, where climbers showed higher oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness with lower relaxation time and creep values. Foot Posture Index scores were comparable between groups.
Conclusions: Amateur climbing may be associated with localised biomechanical adaptations of lower extremity soft tissues.
Keywords: amateur climbers, biomechanical phenomena, foot posture, lower extremity, MyotonPRO, myotonometry, soft tissue biomechanics
In conclusion, we found that amateur climbers exhibited tissue- and region-specific differences in the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of selected foot and lower leg soft tissues evaluated using MyotonPRO compared with non-climbing controls, whereas overall foot posture assessed using the Foot Posture Index remained comparable between groups. The most pronounced differences were observed in structures involved in force transmission and stabilisation during climbing, particularly the distal portion of the plantar fascia beneath the fifth ray and the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon. Exploratory analyses stratified according to climbing experience revealed heterogeneous findings that should be interpreted cautiously and should not be considered evidence of progressive tissue modifications over time. These findings may be used to guide the development of future prospective cohort studies or randomised controlled trials investigating climbing-related soft tissue adaptations, preventive interventions, or training modifications in climbers.