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Effect of alpine skiing training on tendon mechanical properties in older men and women
Author(s) -
Seynnes O. R.,
Koesters A.,
Gimpl M.,
Reifberger A.,
Niederseer D.,
Niebauer J.,
Pirich C.,
Müller E.,
Narici M. V.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01340.x
Subject(s) - tendon , patellar tendon , medicine , anthropometry , tendinopathy , biomechanics , physical therapy , strain (injury) , surgery , anatomy
Strain is one of the parameters determining tendon adaptation to mechanical stimuli. The aim of this study was to test whether the patellar tendon strain induced during recreational alpine skiing would affect tendon mechanical properties in older individuals. Twenty‐two older males and females (67 ± 2 years) were assigned to a 12‐week guided skiing programe (IG) and 20 aged‐matched volunteers served as controls (CG). Patellar tendon mechanical properties and cross‐sectional area (CSA) were measured before and after training, with combined dynamometry and ultrasonography scanning. None of the variables changed significantly in the CG after training. In the IG, tendon stiffness and Young's modulus were increased (respectively, 14% and 12%, P <0.01), without any significant change in tendon CSA. In addition, changes in tendon stiffness were blunted in women (9%) compared with men (19%). Serum IGF‐1 concentration tended to be lower in women (−19%, P =0.07). These results demonstrate that the mechanical stimulus induced by alpine skiing is sufficient to elicit adaptive changes in patellar tendon mechanical and material properties in older subjects. Furthermore, the present sex‐specific adaptations are consistent with previous reports of lower collagen metabolic responsiveness in women and may be underpinned by anthropometric and metabolic differences.