Impact of Patellar Tendinopathy on Isokinetic Knee Strength and Jumps in Professional Basketball Players

Abstract

Patellar tendinopathy is characterized by tendon pain which may reduce the level of performance. This study’s main aim was to compare isokinetic knee strength and jump performances at the start of the sport season between players with patellar tendinopathy and those without. Secondary aims were to assess the relationship between knee strength and jump function. Sixty-two professional basketball players were enrolled (mean age: 25.0 ± 4.0). All players performed knee isokinetic measurements, single leg countermovement jumps, and one leg hop tests. Correlations between knee strength and jump performances were examined. Twenty-four players declared a patellar tendinopathy and were compared to the 38 players without tendinopathy. The isokinetic quadriceps strength was lower in cases of patellar tendinopathy, and a camel’s back curve was observed in 58% of the cases of patellar tendinopathy. However, jump performances were preserved. No link was found between quadriceps and hamstring limb symmetry indexes at 60 and 180°/s with jumps. This preseason screening enabled us to identify the absence of consequences of patellar tendinopathy in professional basketball players. Jump performances were not altered, possibly due to compensatory strategies.

Consequences of Patellar Tendinopathy on Isokinetic Knee Strength and Jumps in Professional Volleyball Players

“…However, as previously published by Dauty et al [26] in professional basketball players, our results support a significant decrease in the quadriceps strength in the case of PT. Concerning the hamstrings, we found a significant decrease in the strength at 60 • /s and only a trend toward a difference at 180 • /s, whereas other studies in basketball players and in runners showed no significant difference for this group of muscles [13,26]. This finding seems of great interest because it means that rehabilitation should also focus on hamstrings and not only on quadriceps in the case of PT.…”

“…The impairment of isokinetic muscle strength remains unclear as only a few studies reported no significant difference in isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength when comparing a group with PT and a control group of runners or a mix of volleyball, basketball and handball players [13,32]. However, as previously published by Dauty et al [26] in professional basketball players, our results support a significant decrease in the quadriceps strength in the case of PT. Concerning the hamstrings, we found a significant decrease in the strength at 60 • /s and only a trend toward a difference at 180 • /s, whereas other studies in basketball players and in runners showed no significant difference for this group of muscles [13,26].…”

“…The same Doctor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation conducted all the assessments in the conditions of use previously described [15,25,26]. Briefly, a 10-min ergocycle warm-up was realized before each session.…”

“…We used the relative concentric isokinetic knee torques normalized to bodyweight. The knee extensors and flexors Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) was calculated to achieve a ratio below 1, allowing to be free for the dominant side [26]. In the PT group, the affected leg to the healthy leg formula was used, whereas, in the control group, the weak leg to the strong leg formula was applied.…”

“…We used the conditions previously described by Dauty et al to evaluate the jumps [26]. For the single-leg CMJ, an Abalakov belt was used with a precision of 1 cm.…”