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Author Spotlight: Integrating Mechanical and Biological Analysis in Tendinopathy Research
Published on: March 1, 2024
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Muscle and tendon adaptation in adolescent athletes: A longitudinal study
F Mersmann1,2, S Bohm1,2, A Schroll1,2
1Department of Training and Movement Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|December 9, 2015
Summary
Young athletes
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Adolescent Physiology
Background:
- Non-uniform muscle and tendon adaptation in young athletes can increase tendon stress during mid-adolescence.
- Understanding these developmental changes is crucial for injury prevention and performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally investigate the morphological and mechanical adaptations of muscle and patellar tendon in elite volleyball athletes over two years.
- To determine how these adaptations influence tendon stress and mechanical properties during adolescent development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study over 2 years involving 18 elite volleyball athletes.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound-dynamometry used to assess muscle and tendon properties.
- Measurements included quadriceps femoris muscle strength, morphology (CSA, volume), and patellar tendon mechanics (stiffness, stress).
Main Results:
- Moderate increases in muscle strength (13%), CSA (6%), and volume (6%) were observed.
- Patellar tendon CSA increased significantly (27%), accompanied by increased stiffness (25%) and reduced stress (9%).
- Pronounced patellar tendon hypertrophy during late adolescence mechanically strengthened the tendon relative to muscle development.
Conclusions:
- Patellar tendon hypertrophy in late adolescence compensates for mid-adolescent imbalances between muscle strength and tendon capacity.
- These adaptive processes may reduce tendon injury risk and enhance athletic performance in young athletes.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring tendon development alongside muscle growth in adolescent athletes.
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