Relation between the architecture and function of the plantar flexors muscles of the ankle with the morphological alterations in the Achilles tendon of ballet dancers

• Grant number: 16/16553-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2016
• End date: October 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Viadanna Serrão
• Grantee: Bruna Mariana Tessarin
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is characterized by pain localized in the tendon due to overload. In classical ballet, the incidence of AT is 19% among all injuries in this sport. The limitation of the range of ankle dorsiflexion, as well as strength deficits and muscular endurance seem to be related to the development of AT. Furthermore, since the muscle architecture (muscle mass, fascicle length and pennation angle) influences the capacity of strength generation, it is possible that the changes in the muscle architecture also has relation to the development / progression of AT. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between the function of the ankle plantar flexors muscles and the architecture of the medial gastrocnemius muscle with the morphology of the Achilles tendon. In present study will participate at least 33 healthy ballet dancers, aged between 15 to 35 years old, both genders, with at least one year of experience in ballet. All participants will be submitted to: 1- assessment of the morphology of the Achilles tendon and architecture of the medial gastrocnemius muscle by ultrasonography; 2- assessment of the maximum isometric force and resistance of the ankle plantar flexors muscles; 3- assessment of the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. The relationship between the architecture and function of the ankle plantar flexors muscles and the morphology of the Achilles tendon will be analyzed by Pearson or Spearman correlation. To verify if the variables of architecture and function of the ankle plantar flexors muscles predict the morphological changes of Achilles tendon will be used multiple linear regression, the multivariate logistic regression or the Cox regression. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NUNES, GUILHERME S.; TESSARIN, BRUNA MARIANA; SILVA, RODRIGO SCATTONE; SERRAO, FABIO VIADANNA. Relationship between the architecture and function of ankle plantar flexors with Achilles tendon morphology in ballet dancers. HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCE, v. 67, OCT 2019. (16/16553-7)