Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: | 1779 |
| Title of the paper: | Prevalence and factors associated with patellar tendinopathy among young tennis players |
| Authors: | aspandi, y., Dr.Sky, B. , Prof. Steinberg, N. |
| Institution: | The Academic College Levinsky-Wingate, Wingate Campus |
| Department: | Sport Sciences and Human Movement |
| Country: | Israel |
| Abstract text | INTRODUCTION: Tennis is a sport in which proficiency begins at an early age. It differs from other sports in the duration of matches, the rigid playing surface and the fact that its an asymmetrical activity. Additionally, tennis players must combine various physical abilities, such as short and rapid sprints, changes in direction, agility and muscle strength, to achieve high performance levels. These factors may create significant loads on the joints and may lead to injuries. This study was aimed to identify the prevalence and the factors associated with patellar tendinopathy among young tennis players. METHODS: Eighty-six young tennis players (29 girls), aged 8-18 years (12.7±1.9), members of the youth national teams participated in the current study. Measurements for both legs included: A Training Load Questionnaire, anthropometric measures, age, dynamic balance (Y-Balance test -YBT), agility (Hexagon Hop Test), bone strength (Quantitative Ultrasound Speed of Sound), muscle strength (by Handheld Dynamometer) and range of motion (ROM) (by Goniometer). Additionally, each participant underwent a clinical examination (Royal London Hospital Test) by a physiotherapist to identify patellar tendinopathy. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two legs were evaluated. For patellar tendinopathy only 165 legs were clinically examined (7 legs were excluded), with 83 legs (50.3%) identified with patellar tendinopathy. Significant differences were found between the injured and uninjured legs indicating that dynamic balance (p<0.01), hip abductors (p<0.01), hip flexors (p=0.001) and knee extensor muscle strength (p<0.01) were reduced in the injured legs compared to the uninjured legs. Additionally hip abductors ROM (p<0.01), hip flexor ROM (p<0.01) and knee flexors ROM (p=0.01) were higher in the injured legs compared to the uninjured legs. Other examined variables were not significantly different between injured and uninjured legs (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that greater hip abduction ROM (OR=1.14, p<0.001), greater hip flexion ROM (OR=1.05, p=0.02) and fewer training hours per week (OR=0.93, p=0.01) were associated with an increased risk of patellar tendinopathy. CONCLUSION: About fifty percent of the legs were diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy. Reduced dynamic balance, lower hip and knee muscle strength and greater hip and knee joint ROM were found in the injured legs compared with the uninjured legs. Additionally, greater hip ROM and reduced training hours were associated with increased risk for patellar tendinopathy. It might be suggested that a combination of insufficient weekly training hours, which are insufficient for building muscle strength and achieving optimal range of motion, along with poor dynamic balance, may increase the risk of patellar tendinopathy. These findings may contribute to the development of prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing patellar tendinopathy in young tennis players. |
| Topic: | Training and Testing |
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