Fig 1.
Ultrasound images of patellar and Achilles tendons length (A, B) and cross-sectional area (C, D).
Sagittal plane views show the identifying landmarks used in measurement of Achilles tendon length (A) and patellar tendon length (B). Transversal ultrasound scans show outlined cross-sectional area of the patellar tendon mid-region (C, E) and of the Achilles tendon (D, F) in one distance runner (C, D) and one swimmer (E, F). CSAp, cross-sectional area proximal; CSAm, cross-sectional area medial; CSAd, cross-sectional area distal; MTJ, myotendinous junction; GM, gastrocnemius medialis; SOL, Soleus.
Table 1.
Anthropometric characteristics of subjects.
Fig 2.
Raw and normalized (body mass2/3) maximal force values recorded during knee extension and plantarflexion.
Values are mean ± SD. * P < 0.05.
Table 2.
Knee extension maximal torque and patellar tendon properties.
Fig 3.
Between-group comparisons of morphological and mechanical properties for the patellar (A, C, E) and Achilles (B, D, F) tendons.
Normalized stiffness (A, B), Young’s modulus (C, D) and normalized cross-sectional area (E, F) are presented. Scatter plots with mean ± SD bars for ski jumpers (rhombus), runners (square), water polo players (circle) and controls (triangle) are shown. Filled symbols indicate tendon properties evaluated at individual maximal force level and semi open symbols indicate tendon properties evaluated at maximal force level common to all subjects (3.600–4.000 N for PT and 2.250–2.500 N for AT). § P < 0.05, §§ P < 0.01, §§§ P < 0.001 compared with water polo players.* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 compared with controls.
Table 3.
Plantarflexion maximal torque and Achilles tendon properties.