Fatigue-induced Alterations of the Patellar Tendon in Elite Sprint
                    Track Cyclists

Sebastian Klich; Kamil Michalik; Jolanta Rajca; Krzysztof Ficek; Cesar Fernández-de-las-Peñas; Adam Kawczynski; Pascal Madeleine

doi:10.1055/a-2018-2781

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(13): 995-1002
DOI: 10.1055/a-2018-2781

Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Fatigue-induced Alterations of the Patellar Tendon in Elite Sprint Track Cyclists

Sebastian Klich

¹Department of Paralympic Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland

,

Kamil Michalik

²Department of Human Motor Skills, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland

,

Jolanta Rajca

³Department of Science, Innovation and Development, Galen-Orthopaedics, Bieruń, Poland

,

Krzysztof Ficek

⁴Department of Physiotherapy, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education In Katowice, Katowice, Poland

³Department of Science, Innovation and Development, Galen-Orthopaedics, Bieruń, Poland

,

Cesar Fernández-de-las-Peñas

⁵Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain

⁶Cátedra Institucional En Docencia, Clínica E Investigación En Fisioterapia: Terapia Manual, Punción Seca Y Ejercicio Terapéutico, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain

,

Adam Kawczynski

⁷Department of Biomechanics and Sport Engineering, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland

,

Pascal Madeleine

⁸Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

› Institutsangaben

Abstract

This study aims to investigate morphological and mechanical properties and echogenicity of the patellar tendon (PT) after acute fatigue-induced alterations in sprint track cyclists. Fourteen elite track cyclists participated in this study. The exercise protocol consisted of three maximal start accelerations (over a distance of 62.5 m), one maximal start acceleration (at both 125 m and 250 m), and sprints from the standing start. Immediately after testing all measurements, PT stiffness and thickness were set at 5–10–15–20 mm distal from the apex of the patella and 5–10 mm proximal to the tibial tuberosity. CSA was set at proximal, middle, and distal, while echogenicity was at proximal and distal points. The results showed significant increases in PT stiffness at all reference points after start acceleration (p<0.001). PT thickness showed similar results for stiffness, except for location placed at TT-5 (p<0.001). CSA increased significantly in proximal, middle, and distal regions (p<0.001), while echogenicity of the tendon increased in proximal and distal regions (p<0.001) after start acceleration. Regional-dependent alterations of PT thickness and stiffness may be related to anatomical and physiological mechanisms due to acute isometric contraction in the initial phase of standing start. Tendon echogenicity might be also useful in monitoring tendon mechanical properties and defining acute fatigue-induced changes.

Key words

stiffness - thickness - overloading - ultrasonography - myotonometry

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Referenzen

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