TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of immobilization on the mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in younger and older men
AU - Couppé, C
AU - Suetta, C
AU - Kongsgaard, M
AU - Justesen, L
AU - Hvid, L G
AU - Aagaard, Per
AU - Kjær, M
AU - Magnusson, S P
N1 - Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - Background: It remains unknown if inactivity changes the mechanical properties of the human patellar tendon in younger and older healthy persons. The purpose was to examine the effects of short-term unilateral immobilization on the structural and mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in older men and younger men, in vivo. Methods: Eight older men and eight younger men underwent 14 days of unilateral immobilization. All individuals were assessed on both sides before and after the intervention. MRI was used to assess whole patellar tendon dimensions. The mechanical properties of the patellar tendon were assessed using simultaneous force and ultrasonographic measurements during isometric ramp contractions. Findings: In older men, tendon stiffness [Pre: mean 2949 (SD 799) vs. Post: mean 2366 (SD 774) N mm- 1, P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.2 (SD 0.3) vs. Post: mean 1.0 (SD 0.3) GPa, P < 0.05] declined with immobilization on the immobilized side. On the control side, tendon stiffness [Pre: mean 3340 (SD 1209) vs. Post: mean 2230 (SD 503), P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.5 (SD 0.4) vs. Post: mean 0.9 (SD 0.3) GPa, P < 0.05] also decreased with immobilization. In younger men, tendon stiffness [Pre: 3622 (SD 1760) vs. Post: mean 2910 (SD 1528) N mm - 1, P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.7 (SD 1.1) vs. Post: mean 1.4 (SD 0.8) GPa, P < 0.05] decreased only on the immobilized side. Interpretation: Short-term immobilization led to impaired mechanical properties of the patellar tendon on the immobilized side in both younger men and older men, which can influence the function of the muscle-tendon complex.
AB - Background: It remains unknown if inactivity changes the mechanical properties of the human patellar tendon in younger and older healthy persons. The purpose was to examine the effects of short-term unilateral immobilization on the structural and mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in older men and younger men, in vivo. Methods: Eight older men and eight younger men underwent 14 days of unilateral immobilization. All individuals were assessed on both sides before and after the intervention. MRI was used to assess whole patellar tendon dimensions. The mechanical properties of the patellar tendon were assessed using simultaneous force and ultrasonographic measurements during isometric ramp contractions. Findings: In older men, tendon stiffness [Pre: mean 2949 (SD 799) vs. Post: mean 2366 (SD 774) N mm- 1, P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.2 (SD 0.3) vs. Post: mean 1.0 (SD 0.3) GPa, P < 0.05] declined with immobilization on the immobilized side. On the control side, tendon stiffness [Pre: mean 3340 (SD 1209) vs. Post: mean 2230 (SD 503), P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.5 (SD 0.4) vs. Post: mean 0.9 (SD 0.3) GPa, P < 0.05] also decreased with immobilization. In younger men, tendon stiffness [Pre: 3622 (SD 1760) vs. Post: mean 2910 (SD 1528) N mm - 1, P < 0.01] and Young's Modulus [Pre: mean 1.7 (SD 1.1) vs. Post: mean 1.4 (SD 0.8) GPa, P < 0.05] decreased only on the immobilized side. Interpretation: Short-term immobilization led to impaired mechanical properties of the patellar tendon on the immobilized side in both younger men and older men, which can influence the function of the muscle-tendon complex.
U2 - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.06.003
DO - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.06.003
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 22770908
SN - 0268-0033
VL - 27
SP - 949
EP - 954
JO - Clinical Biomechanics
JF - Clinical Biomechanics
IS - 9
ER -
