Comparison of Change in Achilles Tendon Size Between Male Long-Distance Runners and Water Polo Players

Authors

Andrew K. Westwood, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Camille L. Nguyen, Brigham Young University, ProvoFollow
Dora Molnar, Hungarian University of Sports ScienceFollow
Martina Uvacsek, Hungarian University of Sports ScienceFollow
Ron Hager, Brigham Young University - UtahFollow
Ulrike Mitchell, Brigham Young University- ProvoFollow
Brent Feland, Brigham Young University - UtahFollow
Aaron W. JohnsonFollow

Abstract

Achilles tendon (AT) tendinopathy is a common condition in athletes, particularly in runners (R). While research exists on tendon adaptations in R (decrease in cross-sectional-area (CSA) in male R), less is known about adaptations in the tendons of aquatic athletes. We hypothesized the change in CSA in R before and after training to be larger compared to the aquatic athletes because of the greater loading forces acting on the AT. Purpose: To compare changes in AT CSA in male athletes, water polo players (WP) and long-distance R, before and after a single bout of sport-specific exercise. Methods: 40 WP (age= 16 ± 1.5 yrs; wt= 77.4 ± 12.9 kg; ht= 183.4 ± 7.7 cm) and 31 R (age= 22.7 ± 2.7 yrs; wt= 71.1 ± 7.8 kg; ht= 178.7 ± 7.1 cm) were imaged using ultrasound (GE Logiq e with an L8-18i transducer) before and immediately after typical sport-specific exercise. CSA images from each imaging session were measured twice by the same person and averaged. Results: WP had larger tendon CSA at the pre-measurement (WP 0.548 ± 0.079 cm²; R 0.515 ± 0.068 cm²) and experienced a greater decrease in CSA compared to R when accounting for height (R: pre: 178.7 ± 7.1 cm, WP 183.4 ± 7.7 cm) (p= 0.037). Two WP demonstrated a large decrease in CSA that influenced the difference in overall CSA change between WP and R. When these two players were removed, the difference between WP and R was no longer present (p=0.12). It is important to note that R ran for approximately 45 minutes while WP were in the water for 90-120 minutes. Conclusion: Our hypothesis was rejected; the aquatic athletes demonstrated a greater change in CSA after their workout. Two conclusions are possible: 1. loading forces experienced by WP were sufficient to elicit change in AT CSA, or 2, the amount of time in the water had a significant effect on tendon CSA change. Other factors that may have influenced the results are the difference in exercise duration and the age difference between the groups.

Recommended Citation

Westwood, Andrew K.; Nguyen, Camille L.; Molnar, Dora; Uvacsek, Martina; Hager, Ron; Mitchell, Ulrike; Feland, Brent; and Johnson, Aaron W. (2024) "Comparison of Change in Achilles Tendon Size Between Male Long-Distance Runners and Water Polo Players," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 174.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/174