Patellar Tendon Mechanical Properties Adaptations to Exercise by Supersonic ShearWave Imaging (SSI)

摘要

The study of the tendons adaptation process to progressive overload is fundamental to design strategies directed to prevent injuries and rehabilitation. However, the patellar tendon (PT) shear modulus (μ) response to resistance training (RT) is still unknown. We used supersonic shearwave imaging (SSI) to evaluate the PT μ changes in response to an 8-week RT protocol in healthy young men. Ten healthy young males were included and submitted to an 8-week progressive RT. Knee extension torque (KT) at baseline and after 8-week to guarantee the RT efficacy. PT μ was assessed by SSI at baseline and at the end of the training protocol. KT exhibited statistical significant changes after the resistance training protocol (pre = 290 ± 45 and post = 330.5 ± 82.9, p = 0.005). No statistical significant changes in PT μ were observed after the eight weeks of RT (pre = 31.06 ±6.09 and post = 27.12 ± 8.51, p = 0.254). The present study showed that a progressive overload regimen consisting of 8-week RT was not able to promote PT μ assessed by SSI, even thought it was effective to promote gains in strength. Further investigation should be conducted with special attention to longer interventions and to possible PT structural changes set points.