Morphological characteristics of the patellar tendon in runners, cyclists, triathletes, and physically active individuals

The objective of the study was to compare measurements of length, thickness, and cross-section area (CSA) of the patellar tendon (PT) among cyclists, runners, triathletes, and physically active individuals (control group). Forty healthy individuals (10 cyclists, 10 runners, 10 triathletes, and 10 physically active individuals) aged between 18 and 45  years (30.3 ± 8.6 years) participated in the study. PT was measured by a B-mode ultrasound system. To measure the length and thickness (in 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm of the PT length) the probe was positioned parallel to the tendon and to measure the CSA the probe was positioned perpendicularly i n 25, 50, and 75% of the PT length. PT length data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to compare between groups and PT CSA and thickness were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA (group vs. position) to compare the variables among the groups with the post-hoc Tukey test. All statistical analyses were per formed consideringp <  0.05. We observed a significant difference, where cyclists had smaller PT thickness (regardless of the location measured) compared to the group of triathletes (p = 0.001) and the physically active group (p = 0.043). All other variables (length, thickness, and CSA) and interactions (local and position) were not significant. We concluded that regardless of the position where PT thickness is measured, cyclists have smaller PT thickness compared to triathletes and physically active individuals but si milar ...
Source: Journal of Ultrasound - Category: Radiology Source Type: research