Patellar Tendon Structural Adaptations Occur during Pre-Season and First Competitive Cycle in Male Professional Handball Players

Silvia Ortega-Cebrián, Ramon Navarro, Sergi Seda, Sebastià Salas and Myriam Guerra-Balic
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Silvia Ortega-Cebrián: Physiotherapy Department, Facultat Fisioteràpia, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Carrer Josep Trueta, Sant Cugat de Vallès, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
Ramon Navarro: Futbol Club Barcelona, Medical Department, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Avinguda, Once Setembre, Sant Joan Despí, 08970 Barcelona, Spain
Sergi Seda: Futbol Club Barcelona, Medical Department, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Avinguda, Once Setembre, Sant Joan Despí, 08970 Barcelona, Spain
Sebastià Salas: Futbol Club Barcelona, Medical Department, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Avinguda, Once Setembre, Sant Joan Despí, 08970 Barcelona, Spain
Myriam Guerra-Balic: Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports Sciences, University Ramon Llull, Spain FPCEE-Blanquerna, 08022 Barcelona, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-11

Abstract: Background: While there is evidence that tendon adapts to training load, structural alterations in the patellar tendon in response to training loads are still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify changes in patellar tendon structure throughout pre-season and after finalizing the first competitive cycle. Methods: Nineteen professional handball players participated in the aforesaid cross-sectional study, in which patellar tendon scan and counter movement jump (CMJ) performance were conducted. Measurements were taken on the first and last day of pre-season training, and at the end of the first competitive cycle. Results: The results revealed that variation on the tendon structure occurred, mainly at the end of pre-season training; for injured tendons this occurred at the proximal (Right p = 0.02), distal (Right p = 0.01), and (Left p = 0.02) tendon, while changes in healthy tendons occurred at the mid (Left p = 0.01) and distal tendon (Right p = 0.01). At the end of the first competitive cycle, changes were observed in the distal injured tendon ( p = 0.02). Conclusion: Patellar tendon shows greater structural change after completing pre-season training than at the end of the first competitive cycle, from which it may be inferred that gradual loading during pre-season training allows the tendon to adapt and potentially decrease the onset of patellar tendinopathy.

Keywords: tendinopathy; differential diagnosis; physical fitness; tenocyte; sports (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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