Presence of Pain Shows Greater Effect Than Tendon Structural Alignment During Landing Dynamics

NCT06829056 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FIS-2022-06
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 39
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the relationship between temporal, kinetic, and kinematic jump variables and patellar tendons' structure in athletes. The main research questions are: Does the structure of the patellar tendon relate to the temporal, kinetic, and kinematic variables of different jumps? To answer these questions, participants will undergo a UTC (Ultrasound Tissue Characterization) scan of the patellar tendon and perform two vertical jump: a countermovement jump and tuck jump test.

Conditions

Patellar Tendon; Athletes

Keywords

jump performance; patellar tendon; tendon structure; UTC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Tendon Structure

  Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (UTC) captures tendon structure and quantifies the number of altered fibers. This technology classifies tendon structure into four echo types, reflecting tendon integrity and fibrillar organization. Data collection for the patellar tendon will be conducted with participants seated, hips and knees at 90° flexion, and feet supported on a stable surface. For the Achilles tendon, the participants will be lying down with ankle in neutral position. This positioning ensures the probe is aligned transversely to the tendons, enabling the acquisition of optimal ultrasound images without anisotropy. Ultrasound parameters will be standardized for all scans: a 40-second B-mode ultrasound using a 7-10 Hz linear transducer, with the probe attached to a tracking device that moves automatically along the tendon's perpendicular axis, capturing consecutive images at 0.2 mm intervals. A single scan of the tendons will be performed for each knee.

  Baseline

• Jump Variables

  The data collection protocol includes the following tasks: countermovement jump and tuck jump test. Kinematic variables will be analyzed by recording the spatial positions of reflective markers placed on specific anatomical regions. Data will be captured using the Qualisys Motion Capture System (version 2021.2). Ground reaction forces will be measured using a force platform connected to a signal amplifier. The platform records the three components of ground reaction forces-anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical-via four sensors. The image capture hardware is connected to the Qualisys USB Analog Acquisition interface, synchronizing temporal, kinetic, and kinematic data with the Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) software.

  baseline

Study Arms (1)

Athletes

Included volunteer participants were aged between 18-30 years, competing in the highest-level Portuguese volleyball league with a minimum of 10 years of volleyball practice. Participants were excluded in presence of injuries or discomfort that impeded maxi- mal jumping tests, history of surgery within the last 12 months or illness during data collection.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The target population for this study consisted of volleyball athletes aged 18 to 35, of both sexes.

You may qualify if:

• aged between 18-30 years;
• competing in the highest-level Portuguese volleyball league with a minimum of 10 years of volleyball practice.

You may not qualify if:

• presence of injuries or discomfort that impeded maximal jumping tests;
• history of surgery within the last 12 months;
• illness during data collection

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto: lead
• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto

Porto, Porto District, 4200-072, Portugal

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's degree in Physiotherapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2025
• First Posted: February 17, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2023
• Study Completion: July 31, 2023
• Last Updated: February 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PT (1)