Understanding Achilles Injuries: Insights from the Recent NBA Incident

The Impact of Achillies Injuries on Athletes

A few weeks ago, I mentioned "He who should not be named" in a newsletter. You can read it here if you missed it.

In the wake of NBA player Tyrese Haliburton rupturing his Achilles during a recent game, the internet has been flooded with opinions. Let's delve into Achilles injuries, online opinions, and the impact of toxic personalities in fitness.

The Controversy Surrounding "He Who Should Not Be Named"

"He who should not be named" is the founder of Functional Patterns, a fitness brand with a devoted following. Unfortunately, this following often mirrors the toxic persona of its founder, Naudi Aguillar. Naudi gained notoriety by loudly labeling anyone who disagreed with him as "BETA MALES." Interestingly, he was embracing this bold approach long before figures like Andrew Tate popularized it.

Despite the controversy, Naudi does share some useful information about fitness. It's frustrating that he has taken this negative path. However, he possesses valuable insights alongside questionable content.

Recently, the Functional Patterns brand and a few others rushed to comment on Haliburton’s injury. They claimed his training was to blame for his misfortune. This is simply misleading.

A Closer Look at Haliburton's Training

Haliburton trains with Ben Bruno, an outstanding coach who has never spoken ill of anyone. I have followed Ben's work for years and can attest to his credibility. He provides quality coaching without resorting to negativity.

Understanding Achilles Injuries

Achilles strains, tears, and ruptures are serious concerns for athletes. I currently have a client recovering from a rupture and have guided others through similar situations. We observe these injuries most often in sports that involve rapid dorsiflexion under load, which is a fancy term for back ankle lengthening.

In earlier years, we primarily saw these injuries in basketball players and sprinters. However, CrossFit introduced repetitive box jumps, creating a significant increase in Achilles injuries across various sports.

The Theory Behind Injury Prevention

My theory is that we can reduce the risk of Achilles injuries. However, it's essential to recognize that we can never completely eliminate the risk of injury. Unlike the Functional Patterns group, I don’t believe the exercises Ben used with Haliburton are at fault. Deadlifts and Floating Heel Split Squats are valid exercises I would also implement in training.

Exploring Foot Mechanics

The potential issue that remains unaddressed is foot mechanics. This is where Anatomy in Motion comes into play, a concept developed by my mentor, Gary Ward. Foot mechanics are often misunderstood. After conversing with a physiotherapist who has a Master's degree, it became clear that many professionals agree this topic needs attention.

When the bones and joints in the foot fail to move correctly, the surrounding tissues endure more strain than strength training can alleviate. This is especially true for a 7-foot tall professional basketball player landing after a 32-inch jump.

Pronation and Supination Explained

Foot actions include pronation and supination. Pronation refers to the foot flattening, while supination involves arching. In simple terms, pronation is when the foot goes "Pancake," while supination reshapes it like a "Banana."

From my experience and that of many other professionals, most people tend to be prone to "Pancake" feet and struggle to "Banana" effectively. The Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone (calcaneus) and extends into the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. This connection can contribute to problems when functioning improperly.

The Rehab Process

A significant component of Achilles rehabilitation involves restoring the calcaneus's proper movement. For plantar fasciitis, the goal is to achieve better pronation while training the plantar fascia to spring back toward the supination position.

In essence, "Banana Pancakes" are essential!

Yum!

If I've ever asked you to perform exercises aimed at finding and utilizing the foot tripod, we were likely trying to train your foot to pronate (flatten). This action lengthens the muscles, enabling the return to supination.

Lateral lunges, especially when performed with a straight leg and flat foot, encourage that banana shape. Look at the popular Dragon to Lateral Lunge sequence, often found in my warm-up routines; the non-stepping leg is subtly guided toward a "Banana Pancake" position.

The Importance of Diverse Training Methods

While these methods help, they are not foolproof for injury prevention. We must still include plyometrics, floating heel exercises (like Hindu squats and toe walking), cleans, and deadlifts in training regimens.

It's crucial to recognize that no single person—be it myself, Naudi, or Ben Bruno—has all the answers. We all strive to do our best using the tools and knowledge available to us.

Before calling out individuals as "Beta" or claiming superiority in training methods, it's essential to consider the knowledge and experience we all bring to the table.

Regards,

Dave Hedges

www.davehedges.net