Immediate Achilles tendon response after strength training evaluated by MRI

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Radiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a common condition affecting athletes and active individuals.
• Understanding the tendon's response to exercise is crucial for rehabilitation and performance.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed insights into tendon structure and composition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate effects of acute strength training on chronic Achilles tendinosis.
• To compare the tendon response to eccentric versus concentric loading using MRI.
• To evaluate changes in tendon volume and intratendinous signal post-exercise.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis underwent MRI before and after a standardized training program.
• Symptomatic tendons received heavy-loaded eccentric training, while contralateral tendons received concentric loading.
• Tendon volume and intratendinous signal were quantified using MRI with a seed-growing technique.

Main Results:

• Both eccentric and concentric loading significantly increased Achilles tendon volume and intratendinous signal.
• Eccentric loading showed a 12% increase in volume and 31% increase in signal.
• Concentric loading showed a 17% increase in volume and 27% increase in signal, with no significant difference between loading types.

Conclusions:

• Acute strength training, both eccentric and concentric, leads to increased Achilles tendon volume and signal intensity.
• These changes suggest a potential increase in water content and/or hyperemia within the tendon immediately post-exercise.
• The findings provide valuable information for designing effective rehabilitation programs for Achilles tendinosis.