Morphological characteristics of the patellar tendon in runners, cyclists, triathletes, and physically active individuals.

The objective of the study was to compare measurements of length, thickness, and cross-section area (CSA) of the patellar tendon (PT) among cyclists, runners, triathletes, and physically active individuals (control group). Forty healthy individuals (10 cyclists, 10 runners, 10 triathletes, and 10 physically active individuals) aged between 18 and 45 years (30.3 ± 8.6 years) participated in the study. PT was measured by a B-mode ultrasound system. To measure the length and thickness (in 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm of the PT length) the probe was positioned parallel to the tendon and to measure the CSA the probe was positioned perpendicularly in 25, 50, and 75% of the PT length. PT length data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to compare between groups and PT CSA and thickness were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA (group vs. position) to compare the variables among the groups with the post-hoc Tukey test. All statistical analyses were performed considering p < 0.05. We observed a significant difference, where cyclists had smaller PT thickness (regardless of the location measured) compared to the group of triathletes (p = 0.001) and the physically active group (p = 0.043). All other variables (length, thickness, and CSA) and interactions (local and position) were not significant. We concluded that regardless of the position where PT thickness is measured, cyclists have smaller PT thickness compared to triathletes and physically active individuals but similar when compared to runners. And no differences in the length and CSA of the PT between groups.

Reliability of a special device for measuring the cross-sectional area of the patellar tendon by ultrasonography.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability and agreement between conditions with and without a special device (SD) in the evaluation of the patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA). Forty trained adult volunteers participated in the study. With the knee positioned at 90°, the ultrasound probe was placed in the transverse plane at 25, 50, and 75% of the PT length. Two raters and one analyzer obtained the images. We use a two-way ANOVA with a significance level of α = 0.05. No significant differences were found between raters or conditions. Intra-rater reliability ranged from moderate to good. Inter-rater reliability without the SD ranged from low to good, improving from moderate to good when the SD was used. Evaluation of the PT ends showed a lower coefficient of variation with the SD. We observed a moderate correlation at the ends and a strong correlation in the middle between conditions. The mean difference in the three positions is small (~ 0.013 cm2/ ~ 1.7%) with an upper limit of 43.2% and a lower limit of 32.5%. Therefore, we conclude that the use of the SD can be employed for evaluating the PT ends, while for the central region, it becomes optional.

Body fat percentage and lower limbs temperature in recreational cyclists during an incremental test / Porcentagem de gordura e temperatura dos membros inferiores em ciclistas recreativos durante teste incremental

This study aimed to evaluate temperature variations on the thighs in an incremental cycling test in healthy recreational cyclists with two different fat percentages. Thirty-two male recreational cyclists were measured in height, body mass, thigh skinfold and body fat percentage, and from the body fat percentage were divided into two groups, Group 1: 16 cyclists who presented body fat percentage < 24% and Group 2: 16 cyclists who presented body fat percentage > 24%. Three thermographic photos were taken, before (Pre), just after (Post) and after 10 min (Post10) of the incremental cycling test to determine mean temperature of right and left Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris. Temperature variations were defined as the difference among the three moments: (i) var1 = Post-Pre, (ii) var2 = Post10- Pre and (iii) var3 = Post10-Post. Differences between groups and moments were calculated using magnitude-based inferences. Group 1 evidenced a very likely large increase in the cycling peak power output. Group 2 showed a likely and most likely moderate, large and very large increase in age, body mass and fat. Group 1 depicted a very likely to likely moderate temperature increase in the right and left Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris on Post10 compared to Post effort moment. Both groups depicted a very likely and most likely moderate and large temperature decrease of right and left Biceps Femoris on Pre compared to Post effort. Percentage of fat seems to discreetly influence skin temperature response, finding that might not be observed when we evaluate trained cyclists exhibiting different percentages of fat....(AU)

Este estudo objetivou a avaliar as variações de temperatura das coxas em um teste incremental de ciclismo em ciclistas recreacionais saudáveis com dois diferentes percentuais de gordura. Trinta e dois ciclistas recreacionais do sexo masculino foram avaliados em estatura, massa corporal, dobras cutâneas da coxa e percentual de gordura corporal, e, a partir do percentual de gordura corporal, foram divididos em dois grupos, Grupo 1: 16 ciclistas que apresentaram percentual de gordura corporal < 24% e Grupo 2: 16 ciclistas que apresentaram percentual de gordura corporal > 24%. Foram tiradas três fotos termográficas, antes (Pré), logo após (Pós) e após 10 min (Pós10) do teste de ciclismo para determinar a temperatura média do Vasto Lateral, Reto Femoral e Bíceps Femoral direito e esquerdo. As variações de temperatura foram definidas como a diferença entre os três momentos: (i) var1 = Pós-Pré, (ii) var2= Pós10-Pré e (iii) var3= Pós10-Pós. Diferenças entre grupos e momentos foram calculadas usando inferências baseadas em magnitude. Grupo 1 apresentou um provável a muito provável aumento moderado da temperatura para os Vastos Laterais direito e esquerdo, o Reto Femoral e o Bíceps Femoral no Pós10 em comparação com o momento pós-esforço. Grupo 2 mostrou aumentos provável e muito provável moderado, grande e muito grande na idade, massa corporal e gordura. Ambos os grupos descreveram uma muito provável e mais provável moderada e grande queda de temperatura do Bíceps Femoral direito e esquerdo no Pré comparado ao Pós-esforço. Percentagem de gordura parece influenciar discretamente a resposta da temperatura da pele, resultado que poderá não ser observado quando avaliados ciclistas treinados que apresentam diferentes percentagens de gordura....(AU)