Why is Achilles so important?: Exploring the Myth and the Muscle

October 2, 2025 •

3 min read

The Achilles tendon is the strongest and largest tendon in the human body, capable of withstanding tensile loads up to ten times body weight during running. Its critical role in human locomotion is a major reason why is Achilles so important, linking the mythological hero to a vital anatomical structure.

Quick Summary

The importance of 'Achilles' extends from Greek myth, where the hero's heel was his sole vulnerability, to human anatomy, where the powerful Achilles tendon is essential for mobility, propulsion, and storing kinetic energy during physical activity.

Key Points

Mythological Origin: The Achilles tendon is named after the Greek hero Achilles, whose heel was his only weak point, leading to the term 'Achilles' heel' for a fatal flaw.
Essential for Locomotion: The Achilles is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting calf muscles to the heel bone and enabling crucial movements like walking, running, and jumping.
Energy Efficiency: Acting like a spring, the tendon stores and releases elastic energy during movement, a biomechanical function that improves the efficiency of walking and running.
Vulnerable Despite Strength: Despite its immense strength, the tendon has a limited blood supply, making it susceptible to overuse injuries and ruptures that can be slow to heal.
Proactive Prevention: Protecting the Achilles involves a combination of proper warm-ups, gradual increases in activity intensity, strategic stretching, strengthening exercises, and wearing appropriate footwear.
Recovery Requires Diligence: Injury to the Achilles often requires a long period of rest and physical therapy, with more severe cases needing surgery, highlighting the need for patience and adherence to medical advice.

The Dual Legacy: From Legendary Warrior to Anatomical Powerhouse

The name 'Achilles' connects the mythological Greek hero of the Trojan War with a crucial part of human anatomy. The legend states Achilles was made nearly invulnerable after being dipped in the River Styx, except for the heel by which his mother held him. This vulnerable spot, the 'Achilles' heel,' became synonymous with weakness. Centuries later, in 1693, anatomist Philip Verheyen named the large tendon in the heel the 'Achilles tendon,' recognizing its significance and susceptibility to injury.

The Unmatched Strength of the Achilles Tendon

As the body's largest and thickest tendon, the Achilles connects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). This connection is essential for plantarflexion, the movement of pointing the foot downwards, which is fundamental for walking, running, jumping, and standing on tiptoes. Composed mainly of type I collagen and elastin, the tendon possesses remarkable tensile strength, allowing it to manage immense forces during movement.

Biomechanical Marvel: Energy Storage and Efficiency

The Achilles tendon acts as a critical biomechanical spring. It stores elastic energy when the foot lands during activities like running and releases this energy for the push-off, significantly improving the efficiency of movement by reducing energy expenditure. Its structure, which includes three twisted subtendons, enhances this spring function and helps distribute stress, though this complexity can also contribute to its vulnerability.

The Importance of the Achilles in Daily Movement

The Achilles tendon is vital for everyday movements, not just sports. Its strength and flexibility enable a wide range of activities:

Smooth walking through effective push-off.
Efficient running.
Powerful jumping through energy storage and release.
Climbing stairs.
Standing on tiptoes.

This constant use highlights its importance in human mobility.

Achilles Tendon vs. Patellar Tendon

Comparing the Achilles to other significant tendons, like the patellar tendon (connecting the quadriceps to the shinbone), helps illustrate its unique role. Below are some key distinctions:


Feature	Achilles Tendon	Patellar Tendon
Location	Posterior ankle	Anterior knee
Primary Function	Plantarflexion	Knee extension
Peak Force	Up to 10x body weight in running	High forces in jumping/kicking
Energy Storage	Highly efficient elastic recoil	Stores/releases energy for knee movements
Composition	Strongest and thickest	Strong, shorter, flatter
Risk Profile	Prone to overuse, rupture	Prone to tendinitis, tears

Preventing Injury: Protecting Your Vital Tendon

Despite its strength, the Achilles is susceptible to injuries like tendinitis and ruptures, partly due to a limited blood supply in its mid-section, which hinders healing. Protecting it is crucial:

Warm-Up: Prepare muscles and tendons with dynamic stretches.
Gradual Progression: Avoid sudden increases in exercise intensity or duration.
Cross-Train: Balance high-impact activities with low-impact options.
Strengthen and Stretch: Include exercises that build calf strength and improve tendon flexibility, especially eccentric exercises.
Proper Footwear: Use supportive shoes appropriate for your activity.

Navigating Injury and Recovery

Addressing Achilles injuries promptly is vital for recovery. Treatment varies from rest and immobilization for minor issues to surgery for ruptures. Physical therapy is critical for regaining movement, strength, and function. Full recovery can take significant time, potentially a year or more for athletes. A consistent approach with medical guidance is essential. More on the anatomy can be found in the NCBI book on Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Achilles Tendon.

Conclusion

Why is Achilles so important? Its significance spans from a legendary figure embodying strength and vulnerability to a fundamental anatomical structure crucial for human movement. This vital tendon powers our daily activities, highlighting the need for proper care and prevention to maintain mobility and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary function is to connect the calf muscles to the heel bone. It acts as a lever, allowing you to push off your foot to walk, run, and jump, facilitating a movement called plantarflexion.

Despite its strength, the tendon's limited blood supply, especially in the mid-portion, makes it vulnerable to overuse and injury. This poor circulation slows down the healing process.

Common injuries include Achilles tendinitis (inflammation from overuse) and Achilles tendon ruptures (partial or complete tears from sudden, forceful movements).

Prevention strategies include warming up properly, gradually increasing exercise intensity, wearing supportive footwear, and incorporating regular stretching and strengthening exercises, such as eccentric calf raises.

Yes, the tendon is named after the Greek hero Achilles. He was famously vulnerable only in his heel, which led to anatomists associating the prominent heel tendon with his story.

Recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon can be lengthy. It often requires months of immobilization, physical therapy, and a gradual return to activity, potentially taking a year or more for a full athletic recovery.

Yes, poor running form, such as overstriding or a heel-first landing, can put excessive stress on the Achilles tendon over time. This can increase the risk of irritation, inflammation, and injury.