Patellar and Achilles Tendon Thickness Differences among Athletes with Different Numbers of Meals per Day: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of this study is to analyse differences in the thickness of the patellar (PT) and Achilles tendons (AT) among athletes with different number of meals per day. The design is a cross-sectional, observational study. A total of thirty-six male athletes (with mean age groups ranging from 31 to 40) were recruited and divided into three groups based on the number of daily meals they had (3, 4 or 5 meals). PT and AT were assessed by ultrasound. There were statistically significant differences in PT when comparing groups 1 and 3, at both longitudinal (p < 0.03) and transversal (p < 0.002) planes. There were no differences when comparing groups 1 and 2 or groups 2 and 3. There was a negative correlation between the number of meals per day and tendon thicknesses in both PT (longitudinal plane: r = -0.384; p = 0.02/transversal plane: r = -0.406; p = 0.01) and AT (transversal plane: r = -0.386; p = 0.02). In conclusion, there were patellar tendon thickness differences between participants and the number of daily meals could play a key role in tendon thickness, healing and performance.

Morphological Characteristics of Passive and Active Structures of the Foot Across Populations With Different Levels of Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: Imaging diagnosis plays a fundamental role in the evaluation and management of injuries suffered in sports activities. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in the thickness of the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, plantar fascia, and posterior tibial tendon in the following levels of physical activity: persons who run regularly, persons otherwise physically active, and persons with a sedentary lifestyle. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and observational. PARTICIPANTS: The 91 volunteers recruited from students at the university and the Triathlon Club from December 2016 to June 2019. The data were obtained (age, body mass index, and visual analog scale for quality of life together with the ultrasound measurements). RESULTS: Tendon and ligament thickness was greater in the runners group than in the sedentary and active groups with the exception of the posterior tibial tendon. The thickness of the Achilles tendon was greater in the runners than in the other groups for both limbs (P = .007 and P = .005). This was also the case for the cross-sectional area (P < .01) and the plantar fascia at the heel insertion in both limbs (P = .034 and P = .026) and for patellar tendon thickness for the longitudinal measurement (P < .01). At the transversal level, however, the differences were only significant in the right limb (P = .040). CONCLUSION: The thickness of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and patellar tendon is greater in runners than in persons who are otherwise active or who are sedentary.

Systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles tendinopathy questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To review the different versions of The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy to evaluate its psychometric properties and the methodological quality of these studies. METHODS: This study is a systematic review. SETTING: A search was conducted in the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Google Scholar databases, based on the following inclusion criteria: population with Achilles tendinopathy >18 years; validation studies of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire, in different languages, with no time limit. Two of the present authors independently assessed the quality of the studies located and extracted the relevant data. Terwee's criteria and the COSMIN checklist were employed to ensure adequate methodological quality. RESULTS: Eleven instruments met the inclusion criteria for this review. Significant methodological flaws were detected, mostly regarding construct validity and responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The cultural adaptation of the Spanish-language and Brazilian-Portuguese-language VISA-A presents adequate methodological quality. However, further studies are required, with greater methodological rigor, of the cultural adaptations of measurement instruments.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONOn available evidence, the Spanish-language and Brazilian-Portuguese language versions of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles questionnaire are the most appropriate for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.Robust methods should be designed and implemented to obtain higher quality instruments for patients with Achilles tendinopathy to be used systematically in daily clinical practice.Most previous transcultural versions of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles tendinopathy questionnaire have presented inadequate evidence of their psychometric properties and should be used with caution for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.