RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Achilles Tendon Structure Differs Between Runners And Non-Runners Despite No Clinical Signs Or Symptoms Of Mid-Substance Tendinopathy
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 290866
DO 10.1101/290866
A1 Todd J. Hullfish
A1 Kenton L. Hagan
A1 Ellen Casey
A1 Josh R. Baxter
YR 2018
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/03/28/290866.abstract
AB Achilles tendinopathy affects many running athletes and often leads to chronic pain and functional deficits. While changes in tendon structure have been linked with tendinopathy, the effects of distance running on tendon structure is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize structural differences in the Achilles tendons in healthy young adults and competitive distance runners using quantitative ultrasound analyses. We hypothesized that competitive distance runners with no clinical signs or symptoms of tendinopathy would have quantitative signs of tendon damage, characterized by decreased collagen alignment and echogenicity, in addition to previous reports of thicker tendons. Longitudinal ultrasound images of the right Achilles tendon mid-substance were acquired in competitive distance runners and recreationally-active adults. Collagen organization, mean echogenicity, and tendon thickness were quantified using image processing techniques. Clinical assessments confirmed that runners had no signs or symptoms of tendinopathy and controls were only included if they had no history of Achilles tendon pain or injuries. Runner tendons were 40% less organized, 48% thicker, and 41% less echogenic compared to the control tendons (p < 0.001). Young adults engaged in competitive distance-running have structurally different tendons than recreationally-active young adults. While these structural differences have been associated with tendon damage, the lack of clinical symptoms of tendinopathy may suggest that these detected differences may either be precursors of tendinopathy development or protective adaptations to cyclic tendon loading experienced during running.