Correlation between Patellar Tendon Mechanical Properties and Oxygenation Detection by Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Males

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the patellar tendon mechanical properties and oxygenation in healthy men. Methods. In two subsequent sessions, eight (mean age ± SD: 27 ± 4) recreationally active, healthy males performed 4-sec isometric knee extensions of the dominant leg at 20-80% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), maintaining a knee joint angle of 90° of flexion. In the first session, B-mode ultrasonography was used to record tendon length, cross-sectional area (CSA), and elongation, parameters needed to calculate stiffness. In the second session, tendon/peritendon hemodynamic parameters, namely total hemoglobin ΔtHb, ΔHHb and tissue oxygenation index (TOI% = O 2 Hb/tHb x 100), as indicators of blood flow and oxygen extraction respectively were measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Correlations between blood volume (tHB), tissue oxygenation and tendon mechanical properties were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficient (R). Results. At all % of MVCs, a reduction of tHb and TOI%, and an increase of HHb were observed. At 80% MVC, ΔTOI% was negatively correlated with strain (R =-0.64) and elongation (R =-0.48), whereas a significant positive correlation was found with Young modulus (R = 0.69) and stress (R = 0.62); as regards blood volume, a significant negative correlation was found between elongation and ΔtHb (R =-0.44) and a positive correlation was found between stress and ΔtHb (R = 0.4). Conclusions. Patellar tendon mechanical properties and tendon/peritendon oxygen extraction and blood volume appears to be moderately correlated when studied by ultrasound and NIRS.

Influence of sports activity, thoracolumbar fascia morphology and myofascial release treatment on lumbar microcirculation: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

“…Some studies have shown that hypoxia following circulation restriction can induce in ammation and apoptosis leading to fascial degeneration [5,16,22,24]. Hoheisel et al…”

“…In particular, a decrease in blood ow with subsequent deoxygenation may be a trigger for fascial degeneration (e.g., stiffening, brosis, or thickening). In addition, hypoxia-related proteins are mediators of cell in ammation and apoptosis and cause a signi cant shift in collagen matrix and expression, which may also promote fascial degeneration [22]. On the other hand, fascial restrictions obviously decrease blood ow by vascular compression [24].…”

Influence of high-energy laser therapy to the patellar tendon on its ligamentous microcirculation: a quasi-experiment

“…Recent studies indicate that tendinopathies are associated with new vascularization with swelling and pain [7].…”

“…Recent studies indicate that tendinopathies are associated with new vascularization with swelling and pain [7]. However, what seems like a paradox could, according to Järvinen [8], also represent persistent preceding hypoxia.…”

Influence of Sports Activity, Thoracolumbar Fascia Morphology and Myofascial Release Treatment on Lumbar Microcirculation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

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