Monitoring Patellar Tendon Stiffness in Relation to Load, Function and Pain

Monitoring patellar tendon stiffness may provide new insights into tendon adaptation due to loads and pathology. This 12-week prospective observational pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of monitoring patellar tendon stiffness in relation to training load, pain, and function in male talent volleyball players. Feasibility outcomes included willingness to participate and retention rate, measurement completeness, and adverse events. Willingness to participate and retention rate were 100% in the included 15 volleyball players. Measurement completeness was below the pre-defined success criteria: 72% for stiffness before training and 66% after training; 52% for internal load and 38% for external load; 71% for experienced pain measurements; and 68% for questionnaire completion. This feasibility study indicates that there are several challenges in obtaining a complete data set when monitoring talented volleyball players. Communication between researcher-coach-athlete, feedback on collected data, and education on the importance of maintaining (tendon) health can be considered important factors to overcome these challenges.