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Br J Sports Med 2004;38:206-209 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2003.004747
  • Original article

Anthropometry, physical performance, and ultrasound patellar tendon abnormality in elite junior basketball players: a cross-sectional study

  1. J L Cook1,
  2. Z S Kiss2,
  3. K M Khan3,
  4. C R Purdam4,
  5. K E Webster1
  1. 1Musculoskeletal Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia
  2. 2Medical Imaging Australia, East Melbourne Radiology, Melbourne, Australia
  3. 3Departments of Medicine, Orthopaedics and Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  4. 4Sports Science, Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen, ACT, Australia
  1. Correspondence to:
 J L Cook
 La Trobe University, Musculoskeletal Research Centre, School of Physiotherapy, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia; j.cooklatrobe.edu.au
  • Accepted 15 April 2003

Abstract

Objective: Patellar tendinopathy has been reported to be associated with many intrinsic risk factors. Few have been fully investigated. This cross-sectional study examined the anthropometric and physical performance results of elite junior basketball players with normal or abnormal patellar tendons to see if any measures were associated with changes in tendon morphology.

Methods: Agility, leg strength, endurance, and flexibility were measured in 71 male and 64 female players. A blinded radiologist ultrasonographically examined their patellar tendons and athletes were grouped as having normal or abnormal tendons. One-way ANOVA was used to test for differences in anthropometric and physical performance data for athletes whose tendons were normal or abnormal (unilateral or bilateral tendinopathy) on ultrasound.

Results: Results show that females with abnormalities in their tendons had a significantly better vertical jump (50.9±6.8 cm) than those with normal tendons (46.1±5.4 cm) (p = 0.02). This was not found in males. In males, the mean sit and reach in those with normal tendons (13.2±6.7 cm) was greater (p<0.03) than in unilateral tendinopathy (10.3±6.2 cm) or in bilateral tendinopathy (7.8±8.3 cm). In females, those with normal tendons (13.3±4.8 cm) and bilateral tendinopathy (15.8±6.2 cm) were distinctly different from those with unilateral tendinopathy (7.9±6.6 cm).

Conclusion: Flexibility and vertical jump ability are associated with patellar tendinopathy and the findings warrant consideration when managing young, jumping athletes.

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