Football Player Achilles Tendon Size Decreases Following Lower Body Strengthening Exercises with an Observed Increase in Blood Flow to the Tendon

Authors

Jeffrey J. Stewart, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Lee J Hinkle, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Austin Goodrich, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Malorie Wilwand, Brigham Young University, ProvoFollow
Gabe Davidson, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Bryson T. Schaugaard, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
B. Brett Mortensen, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Matthew K. Seeley, Brigham Young University - UtahFollow
A. Wayne JohnsonFollow

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The loading forces experienced during exercise may cause morphological and vascularization changes in the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendons of runners decrease in cross-sectional area (CSA) after a distance run. Understanding acute morphological changes as a result of single bouts of exercise gives insight to clinicians about how to organize and recommend training sessions and recovery and may inform injury risk. Purpose: This study aims to characterize changes in tendon thickness, CSA, and blood flow of Division I collegiate football (FB) players before and after a bout of strengthening exercise. Methods: Twenty-nine participants (height: 189±5.62 cm, weight: 106±19.0 kg, age: 22.6 ±1.3, FB years: 2.3±1.022 years) had their Achilles tendons imaged by ultrasound before and after a lower body strengthening practice. Scans analyzed in this study included short-axis and long-axis views of the Achilles tendon at the intermalleolar line (IM line). Blood flow scans (PDI) were assessed along the course of the tendon. PDI was measured on a scale from 0 to 5 as established by Arias-Buria et al. (2020). Results: Tendon thickness before exercise (0.4999 ± 0.1323cm) decreased by -0.0373 ± 0.0725 cm (p=0.0005). Tendon CSA (0.6112 ± 0.1260cm²) decreased by -.0360 ± 0.0806 cm² (p=0.0022). Exercise increased blood flow to the tendon (pConclusion:Clinicians should be aware of the impact of exercise on the presentation of the Achilles tendon in ultrasound and power Doppler to examine and diagnose tendinopathy correctly. Further research concerning the relationship between the magnitude of change and the presence of tendinopathy is needed.

Recommended Citation

Stewart, Jeffrey J.; Hinkle, Lee J; Goodrich, Austin; Wilwand, Malorie; Davidson, Gabe; Schaugaard, Bryson T.; Mortensen, B. Brett; Seeley, Matthew K.; and Johnson, A. Wayne (2024) "Football Player Achilles Tendon Size Decreases Following Lower Body Strengthening Exercises with an Observed Increase in Blood Flow to the Tendon," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/3