Explained: What is Achilles tendon rupture and why it takes time to heal?

Achiles Tendon injury

Golf legend Tiger Woods recently revealed that he underwent surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon, raising questions about his ability to compete in upcoming major championships. Woods opened up about his injury through his social media accounts but did not give any timeline of when he is expected to be fit again. The 49-year-old American said he had a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair for a rupture. According to an article by the Associated Press the recoveries of the most athletes following an Achilles tendon rupture take at least a month before they can even put weight on their foot. So what is an Achilles tendon rupture and why does it takes time for athletes to recover from this injury? The Achilles tendon (a tendon is a connective tissue that connects muscle with a bone) derives its name from Greek mythological figure Achilles. According to the myth, Achilles’ only weakness was his heel. Also Read: Do Kinetics Really Play A Part In Sports? The Achilles tendon are located in the back of the lower leg and are strongest, largest and thickest tendons of the human body. These tendons play a important role in walking, running and jumping and hence crucial for athletes. An Achilles tendon tear could either be partial or a complete rupture. According to a UT Southwestern Medical center blog, Achilles tendon rupture requires “a year or longer to fully recover, including rehab”. For non-athletes an Achilles tendon rupture can disrupt out daily functioning and they need proper medical care and therapy. Further a research titled “Return to Play and Player Performance After Achilles Tendon Rupture in UEFA Professional Soccer Players” states that Achilles tendon rupture is a potentially career-ending injury in professional athletes. The study concluded that the injured footballers “played less and demonstrated inferior performance during the season of injury.” Unlike a muscle, a tendon doesn’t get enough blood supply. It is blood that carries nutrients and other fluids that are essential for the healing process. Hence the recovery process is slow. The Sportz Planet Desk,Prakhar Sachdeo

Wushu Features At The 38th National Games

Wushu is one of those sports, which is featured during the 38th National Games, Uttarakhand. A Bit About Wushu Wushu is a perfect blend of athletics, disciplined manners and some ancient technical skill that forces people to live a moment gracefully along with strong vigor. History And Evolution Of Wushu The term “Wushu,” literally translated from Chinese to mean “martial technique,” dates way back in the Qin Dynasty, making it one of the oldest martial arts found anywhere in the world. It evolved from being a military training technique to a sport that falls under the regulation of the International Wushu Federation (IWuF), which was founded in 1990 for unifying all disciplines of Wushu found in the world. There are two major disciplines of Wushu: taolu and sanda. What Is Taolu? Taolu is the “routines” discipline where the practitioner exudes agility, precision, and beauty as choreographed movements. They are measured according to how fast and how accurate the pace at which one executes moves or transitions when their axes, swords, or staffs, or they themselves are bare-handed. Among all of the forms, taijiquan remains to be the favorites among the contenders as it will reveal artistry and a very deep culture related with proficiency for martial arts technique usage. What Is Wushu? On the other hand, sanda or Wushu combat is where techniques of grappling, striking, and kicking exist. It is more fighting sports like judo or taekwondo where athletes compete within weight classes with technical ability combined with great physical strength. The match in sanda is an entertaining exercise full of action with much endurance and thoughtful tactical thinking. Wushu At The 38th National Games The 38th National Games would go a long way in the promotion of Wushu at the National level as well as bringing out its martial heritage coupled with the modern competitive format. Where athletes shine with their taolu skills as well as with the demonstration of sanda, the event would promise to come out with all the versatility and depth of Wushu as well as to inspire the generations of martial artists all over India. The Sportz Planet Desk

Role Of Sports Science At The 38th National Games

Sports Science

With more than 10,000 athletes from all over the country performing at what is among India’s highest-profile sports events, 38th National Games have shed light on the growing importance of sports science in competitive athletics. At every turn in the games, sports science professionals including physiotherapists, biomechanists, team doctors, and nutritionists are working seriously to enhance athletes’ efforts and wellbeing. Sports Science At The Helm Of The 38th National Games Since sports science stepped to the helm of Indian sport, the 38th National Games mark an even deeper significance placed upon it because today the athletes get a multidisciplinary support system along with the maximum care being taken care of by a team and strategies to bring them to peak performance. From physical demands for running and swimming to mental concentration needed in some disciplines like archery and shooting, sports science works shoulder by shoulder with athletes as never before, helping them in their endurance-the physical, as well as the mental. Physiotherapists And Team Doctors Physiotherapists and team doctors are highly essential for the successful conduct of the 38th National Games. Their first and foremost responsibility is to see that the athletes are physically fit for competition and free of preventable injuries. With the precision required in determining the proper time for all the treatment and rehabilitation before competition begins, successful athletes need to recover quickly, down to having an experienced sports doctor treating each competitive event to assure their today-plateau finish. Rehabilitation and injury prevention comes into play with the help of physiotherapists, allowing athletes to recover from the rigors of events in a very short time so they remain fit and compete for a greater duration of the tournament. Biomechanics And Performance Optimization Biomechanics experts have become indispensable at the 38th National Games, providing insights into athletes’ movements, postures and techniques. By analyzing these elements, biomechanists can recommend improvements in form and technique, which can lead to better performance and reduced risk of injury. Whether it’s optimizing a sprinter’s stride or refining a swimmer’s stroke, biomechanics ensures that athletes can perform at the highest level while minimizing strain on their bodies. Nutritionists Fueling Performance At The 38th National Games Nutrition is another critical pillar of sports science at the 38th National Games. Nutritionists work closely with athletes to design tailored meal plans that fuel their bodies for peak performance and recovery. Proper nutrition ensures that athletes maintain energy levels, muscle mass and mental clarity during the competition, contributing significantly to their success in the games. Sports Science Drives Success At The 38th National Games At the 38th National Games, sports science is not just a supporting element; it is a cornerstone of athletes’ success. The contributions of physiotherapists, biomechanists, team doctors and nutritionists are transforming how athletes train, compete and recover, ensuring that they reach their full potential. As the 38th National Games continue to unfold, the integration of sports science ensures a new era of excellence in Indian sports. The Sportz Planet Desk

Is Sports Science The New SOS For An Athlete?

Discussing the evolution of sports science with its importance for an athlete in the National Games Conclave on January 29, 2025, was a very insightful discussion.  Sports Science – The New SOS This panel included Manasi Joshi, who represents India in para-badminton. Manasi related her personal experiences, showing light on how she overcame what could have otherwise been a finishing blow to an injury through the help of physiotherapy. The Injury Before reaching the finals of the World Championship, Manasi Joshi was unable to get up during her warm-up due to extreme back pain. She pushed through the searing ache by taking painkillers and went on to play in the finals. However, after the event, medical scans revealed that three of her vertebrae were protruded, a condition which could have caused long-term damage. Role Of Sports Science In Recovery It is here that the utility of sports science was seen. With a focused team of sports professionals—physiotherapists, biomechanics experts and more—she initiated a specific recovery program. Physiotherapy was done individually for her to treat not only the pain at the moment but also to make the muscles around the area stronger and improve her posture to avoid any further damage. How Sports Science Helped Her Recover Fast It was just three months since Manasi Joshi was back on the field after this remarkable recovery. She testified that the intervention of sports science helped her to bounce back and credit his success to the dedication involved in his physiotherapy program. Manasi said that support from sports science would not only be a period of treatment during the recovery phases but also in the prevention of injuries in the long run. Future Of Sports Science In Athlete Recovery Manasi Joshi’s story depicts transformation through the aspect of sports science on the road of an athlete. Recovery with physiotherapy is essential so that the person can come back to top-notch performance without future injury risk and that integration of sports science into the lifestyle of the athletes is more imperative than ever for them, elevating recovery possibilities to levels considered impossible previously in terms of performances. The Sportz Planet Desk

Sports Science Discussed At The 38th National Games Conclave

Sports Science

The National Games Conclave in Uttarakhand on January 29, 2025, had a discussion very large, on the evolution of sports science from the life of an athlete.  Mindset Evolving On Sports Science One of the panelists was an ex-athlete. Sports science in her days meant doping and only basic performance measurements, with injuries having limited solutions since the sport professionals in India were not even aware of what it was. It is a completely different scenario at present. Even the Government Of India has shown interest in sports science. Government Backs Sports Science The Indian Government has gone a long way in efforts for uplifting and supporting the cause of sports science. Financial and psychological support is now being provided to the advancement of sports science. The development has helped sports science to come to the fore not only in elite sports but also in every sport. As sports science increasingly finds its way to the front burner in India, the disciplines include nutrition, biomechanics, psychology and recovery techniques that all have to come together for better performance in athletics. Advancements In Recovery And Support For Athletes Recovery is the greatest advancement. It is possible now for modern-day athletes to acquire the most recent recovery techniques in order to prepare them to regain their fitness ahead of the competition. Teams composed of medical staff and fitness personnel are assigned for the proper recovery of an athlete’s body, as well as his mind to avoid being confined to bed too long or avoiding injuries. The Call To Research In Sport Science Despite all this, there is one stumbling block. India still has a lack of real research in sports science. This creates an inadequacy in their usual performances since proper scientific studies and data related to athletes are not available, which limits the maximum capabilities of an athlete. The increase in the investment of the country in sports science can be channeled into research to help build even more specific solutions that can enhance the status of the country in international sports. The Way Forward Lots have changed since the beginning and sports science in India still has many more things to be done. Proper aid, investments and more research will ensure better care and guidance in sports science in the global sphere. The Sportz Planet Desk