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Changes in A chilles tendon mechanical properties following eccentric heel drop exercise are specific to the free tendon
Author(s) -
Obst S. J.,
NewshamWest R.,
Barrett R. S.
Publication year - 2016
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/sms.12466
Subject(s) - achilles tendon , tendon , isometric exercise , aponeurosis , eccentric , medicine , heel , strain (injury) , anatomy , materials science , physics , quantum mechanics
Mechanical loading of the A chilles tendon during isolated eccentric contractions could induce immediate and region‐dependent changes in mechanical properties. Three‐dimensional ultrasound was used to examine the immediate effect of isolated eccentric exercise on the mechanical properties of the distal (free tendon) and proximal (gastrocnemii) regions of the A chilles tendon. Participants ( n = 14) underwent two testing sessions in which tendon measurements were made at rest and during a 30% and 70% isometric plantar flexion contractions immediately before and after either: (a) 3 × 15 eccentric heel drops or (b) 10‐min rest. There was a significant time‐by‐session interaction for free tendon length and strain for all loading conditions ( P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons revealed a significant increase in free tendon length and strain at all contraction intensities after eccentric exercise ( P < 0.05). There was no significant time‐by‐session interaction for the gastrocnemii (medial or lateral) aponeurosis or tendon for any of the measured parameters. Immediate changes in A chilles tendon mechanical properties were specific to the free tendon and consistent with changes due to mechanical creep. These findings suggest that the mechanical properties of the free tendon may be more vulnerable to change with exercise compared with the gastrocnemii aponeurosis or tendon.