Patellar tendon properties and neuromuscular performance across different power sports

Monitoring tendon morphology and function can improve our understanding of how tendons adapt to chronic training, potentially supporting the maintenance of strength and endurance. Despite that explosive sports share similarities, they also differ in key factors like movement speed and reactivity, loading duration and direction, range of motion, and muscle contraction type. This study aimed to compare the patellar tendon morphology and mechanical characteristics among sprinters, long and high jumpers, gymnasts, and karate athletes.

Forty-one elite male athletes with national and international competition experience participated. Patellar tendon properties, knee extensor strength, power, and rate of force development during countermovement jumps were measured during the pre-competition training phase.

Results indicated that patellar tendon length, cross-sectional area, stiffness, and Young's modulus were similar across these athletes (P>0.05), despite differences in body weight, height, body composition, force production, and power output during dynamic movements. However, significant differences in patellar tendon stress were observed, correlating strongly with maximal knee extension peak torque and peak power during the countermovement jump (r>0.646, P<0.01).

These findings suggest that patellar tendon morphology and mechanical properties were largely consistent across different power athletes, but high tendon stress resulting from increased force production highlights the need for a balanced relationship between force development and tendon adaptation.