TY - JOUR
T1 - Quadriceps and Patellar Tendon Thickness and Stiffness in Elite Track Cyclists
T2 - An Ultrasonographic and Myotonometric Evaluation
AU - Klich, Sebastian
AU - Ficek, Krzysztof
AU - Krymski, Igor
AU - Klimek, Andrzej
AU - Kawczyński, Adam
AU - Madeleine, Pascal
AU - Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, Cesar
N1 - Copyright © 2020 Klich, Ficek, Krymski, Klimek, Kawczyński, Madeleine and Fernández-de-las-Peñas.
PY - 2020/12/14
Y1 - 2020/12/14
N2 - Track cyclists are required to perform short- and long-term efforts during sprint and endurance race events, respectively. The 200 m flying sprint races require maximal power output and anaerobic capacity, while the 4,000 m pursuit cyclists demand a high level of aerobic capacity. Our goal was to investigate spatial changes in morphological and mechanical properties displayed using 3D topographical maps of the quadriceps muscle and tendons after 200 m flying start and 4,000 m individual pursuit race in elite track cyclists. We hypothesized a non-uniform distribution of the changes in the quadriceps muscle stiffness (QMstiff), and acute alterations in quadriceps tendon (QTthick) and patellar tendon (PTthick) thickness. Fifteen men elite sprint and 15 elite men endurance track cyclists participated. Sprint track cyclists participated in a 200 m flying start, while endurance track cyclists in 4,000 m individual pursuit. Outcomes including QTthick (5-10-15 mm proximal to the upper edge of the patella), PTthick (5-10-15-20 mm inferior to the apex of the patella)-using ultrasonography evaluation, QMstiff, and quadriceps tendon stiffness (QTstiff) were measured according to anatomically defined locations (point 1-8) and patellar tendon stiffness (PTstiff)-using myotonometry, measured in a midway point between the patella distal and the tuberosity of tibial. All parameters were assessed before and after (up to 5 min) the 200 m or 4,000 m events. Sprint track cyclists had significantly larger QTthick and PTthick than endurance track cyclists. Post-hoc analysis showed significant spatial differences in QMstiff between rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis in sprint track cyclists. At before race, sprint track cyclists presented significantly higher mean QTthick and PTthick, and higher QMstiff and the QTstiff, as compared with the endurance track cyclists. The observed changes in PTThick and QTThick were mostly related to adaptation-based vascularity and hypertrophy processes. The current study suggests that assessments using both ultrasonography and myotonometry provides crucial information about tendons and muscles properties and their acute adaptation to exercise. Higher stiffness in sprint compared with endurance track cyclists at baseline seems to highlight alterations in mechanical properties of the tendon and muscle that could lead to overuse injuries.
AB - Track cyclists are required to perform short- and long-term efforts during sprint and endurance race events, respectively. The 200 m flying sprint races require maximal power output and anaerobic capacity, while the 4,000 m pursuit cyclists demand a high level of aerobic capacity. Our goal was to investigate spatial changes in morphological and mechanical properties displayed using 3D topographical maps of the quadriceps muscle and tendons after 200 m flying start and 4,000 m individual pursuit race in elite track cyclists. We hypothesized a non-uniform distribution of the changes in the quadriceps muscle stiffness (QMstiff), and acute alterations in quadriceps tendon (QTthick) and patellar tendon (PTthick) thickness. Fifteen men elite sprint and 15 elite men endurance track cyclists participated. Sprint track cyclists participated in a 200 m flying start, while endurance track cyclists in 4,000 m individual pursuit. Outcomes including QTthick (5-10-15 mm proximal to the upper edge of the patella), PTthick (5-10-15-20 mm inferior to the apex of the patella)-using ultrasonography evaluation, QMstiff, and quadriceps tendon stiffness (QTstiff) were measured according to anatomically defined locations (point 1-8) and patellar tendon stiffness (PTstiff)-using myotonometry, measured in a midway point between the patella distal and the tuberosity of tibial. All parameters were assessed before and after (up to 5 min) the 200 m or 4,000 m events. Sprint track cyclists had significantly larger QTthick and PTthick than endurance track cyclists. Post-hoc analysis showed significant spatial differences in QMstiff between rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis in sprint track cyclists. At before race, sprint track cyclists presented significantly higher mean QTthick and PTthick, and higher QMstiff and the QTstiff, as compared with the endurance track cyclists. The observed changes in PTThick and QTThick were mostly related to adaptation-based vascularity and hypertrophy processes. The current study suggests that assessments using both ultrasonography and myotonometry provides crucial information about tendons and muscles properties and their acute adaptation to exercise. Higher stiffness in sprint compared with endurance track cyclists at baseline seems to highlight alterations in mechanical properties of the tendon and muscle that could lead to overuse injuries.
U2 - 10.3389/fphys.2020.607208
DO - 10.3389/fphys.2020.607208
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33381054
SN - 1664-042X
VL - 11
JO - Frontiers in Physiology
JF - Frontiers in Physiology
M1 - 607208
ER -