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

Abstract

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.

Patellar Tendon Elasticity and Temperature Following after a 448 Kilohertz Radiofrequency Intervention on Active Healthy Subjects: An Open Controlled Clinical Trial

“…The evaluator carried out a protocol study before the research started, presenting an excellent ICC (>0.9). The measurements were performed following recommendations from previous studies [ 24 , 25 ] and with the patient lying supine with the knee flexed at 30 degrees. The patellar tendon was located using the kneecap as the upper border and the tuberosity of the tibia as the lower border [ 24 ].…”

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

“…Each participant was issued an identification number, which was the only information provided to the examiners. All ultrasound measures are expressed in millimetres [ 22 ].…”

“…The thickness of the tendon was measured at the level of the medial malleolus, in order to standardise the measurements, as was shown in previous studies [ 23 ]. The thickness of the AT was measured by its maximum anteroposterior diameter ( Figure 1 ) [ 22 ].…”

“…The placement of the transductor and subsequently the measurements were taken 2 cm distal to the end of the patella, and both longitudinal and transversal axes were measured [ 24 ]. The thickness of the PT was measured by its maximum anteroposterior diameter ( Figure 2 ) [ 22 ].…”

“…Normality for all US variables was explored using the Shapiro–Wilk test for the three groups of participants. To determine between-groups differences for all the outcome measurements, one-way ANOVA test was calculated with Tukey post-hoc estimation [ 22 ]. A p -value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.…”