Artikel
Adaptation of patella and achilles tendon to different forms of loading patterns in young elite athletes
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Autoren
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Navina Riegels
- University Outpatient Clinic Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Michael Cassel
- University Outpatient Clinic Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Frank Mayer
- University Outpatient Clinic Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| Veröffentlicht: | 24. Oktober 2011 |
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Gliederung
Text
Objective: In adult athletes Achilles (AT) and Patella tendon (PT) diameter is increased in high-impact sports compared to low-impact sports. However, it remains largely unknown whether different forms of loading patterns are associated with tendon hypertrophy in Young Elite Athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences in AT and PT diameter in relation to loading patterns acting on the tendon.
Material/Methods: 27 Young Elite Athletes were divided into three groups according to their level of impact acting in sport (Group 1: swimming; n=10; 12.1±1.1y; 157.4±7.3cm; 45.5±8.3kg. Group 2: handball/soccer; n=9; 11.9±0.6y; 158.5±0.6cm; 48.5±12.9kg. Group 3: gymnastics; n=8; 11.5±1.4y; 144.1±8.9cm; 34.6±5.6kg) (Figure 1 [Fig. 1]). All athletes trained min. 4x/week since min. 2 years. AT and PT diameter [mm; mm/kg body weight] were analyzed by ultrasound (Xario Toshiba, 8MHz) in anterior-posterior direction 20 mm proximal to the tendon insertion. One way repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc Tukey-HSD was used to analyze differences between groups (α<0.05). Correlation between tendon thickness and bodyweight (BW) was calculated by Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
Results: Mean PT diameter for S was 3.5±0.5mm, for H 3.8±0.5mm and 3.7±0.6mm for G. There was no statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05). Correlation between bodyweight and PT was r=0.393 (p=0.052). Normalized to bodyweight G showed statistically significant thicker PT compared to S (p=0.011). Mean AT diameter for S was 4.7±0.6mm, for H 5.5±0.3mm and 5.2±0.4mm for G. Comparing means a statistically significant difference between S and H (p=0.006), S and G (p=0.05) in absolute values and between S and G (p=0.002) in normalized diameter could be shown. Correlation between BW and AT diameter was not statistically significant (r=-0,170), (p=0,387).
Conclusion: It can be concluded, that AT and PT diameters adapt as well to bodyweight as to the degree of impact at the lower extremity even in young elite athletes.
References
- 1.
- Kongsgaard M, Aagaard P, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP. Structural Achilles tendon prop-erties in athletes subjected to different exercise modes and in Achilles tendon rupture patients. J Appl Physiol. 2005;99(5):1965-71.
- 2.
- Emerson C, Morrissey D, Perry M, Jalan R. Ultrasonographically detected changes in Achilles tendons and self reported symptoms in elite gymnasts compared with controls – an observational study. Man Ther. 2010;15(1):37-42.
