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Faculty of Medical Sciences

Patellar tendon structure responds to load over a 7-week preseason in elite volleyball players

IJtsma, R. (Ruth) (2015) Patellar tendon structure responds to load over a 7-week preseason in elite volleyball players. thesis, Sport Sciences.

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Abstract

Introduction: Patellar tendinopathy is a common overuse injury in jumping sports. Training volume and jump frequency are important risk factors for the onset of tendon problems. Tendon structure can respond both positive and negative to load. The amount of loading that induces tendon structure changes is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between tendon load and the response of the patellar tendon structure. Method: Seventeen elite male volleyball players participated in this study (mean ± SD: age 23.2 ± 4.4 years old, height 196.7± 6.4 cm, weight 90.4 ± 10.1 kg). Volume (duration) and intensity (session Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)) were recorded every training and match by each player. Load was calculated by multiplying duration and RPE. Jump frequency was measured with accelerometers and with video notation analysis. Ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) measures were assessed biweekly to quantify patellar tendon structure in four types (echo-type I represents highly stable structure and echo-type IV corresponds to amorphous structure ). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to test the relation between load parameters and echo pattern changes. Results: On average, players spent 624 ± 215 minutes on training and matches per week with a RPE of 13.9 ± 2.1 indicating 'somewhat hard' intensity. Jump frequency was 278 ± 122 per week. Higher load parameters (volume, intensity and load) resulted all in a higher decrease of echo-type I (p<0.05). Higher volume and load resulted in a higher decrease of echo-type II (p<0.05). Higher cumulative weekly volume and cumulative weekly loads between the first and the last UTC were related to significant higher decreases in echo-type I (p<0.05), but not related for echo-type II. No significant relations were found for jump frequency. None of the load parameters were related to echo-type III and IV. Conclusion: The present study showed that load was related to changes in echo-types over a 7 week preseason in elite volleyball players. A higher amount of load was related to greater echo pattern changes. Further research to the relation between load and echo pattern changes is needed to construct practical guidelines. Keywords: training load, ultrasonography, Ultrasound tissue characterisation(UTC), patella, patellar tendinopathy,

Item Type: Thesis (UNSPECIFIED)
Supervisor name: Brink, M. (Michel) and Zwerver, H. (Hans)
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Date Deposited: 29 Apr 2022 10:13
Last Modified: 29 Apr 2022 10:13
URI: https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3151

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