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The influence of gender on patellar tendon mechanical properties and MRI determined intratendinous signal intensity
Author(s) -
Carroll Chad C,
Dickinson Jared M,
Haus Jacob M,
Lee Gary A,
Hollon Christopher J,
Aagaard Per,
Magnusson S Peter,
Trappe Todd A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.lb117-d
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , tendon , patellar tendon , medicine , anatomy , patellar ligament , strain (injury) , jumping , biomechanics , ultrasonography , surgery , physiology
Higher exercise‐related connective tissue injury rates in women and differences in patellar tendon metabolism suggest that a gender disparity may exist in tendon mechanical properties. Therefore, patellar tendon mechanical properties of men (n=12; 65±1 yr) and women (n=10, 66±2 yr) were evaluated. Individuals performed a 10s ramped isometric contraction of the quadriceps femoris coupled with monitoring of patellar and tibial movement via ultrasonography and simultaneous recording of muscle force output. Tendon cross‐sectional area (CSA), length, and intratendinous signal (IS) intensity were measured via MRI. Tendon force (M: 3325±286; W: 1670±137 N), stiffness (M: 2869±276; W: 1980±236 N·mm −1 ), modulus (M: 1.1±0.1; W: 0.9±0.1 GPa; p=0.058), tensile stress (M: 28.5±3.1; W: 17.3±1.8 MPa), and tendon CSA (M: 119.8±5.8; W: 96.2±5.4 mm 2 ) were greater in males (p<0.05). In contrast, IS was higher in women (M: 15.4±1.1; W: 19.5±1.6 normalized mean gray value; p<0.05) but tendon deformation, strain, and length were not different (p>0.05). Interestingly, the IS decreased proximal to distal in both genders. Our data demonstrate several sex‐specific differences in patellar tendon properties, which likely influence the transfer of force from muscle to bone. Funding: R01 AG020532