Jumper’s knee mechanical consequences in professional basketball players: the “Camel’s Back curve”

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

“…In cases of reported PT, there was already a quadriceps isokinetic strength difference of 25% at 60°/s [ 15 ]. In 2019, a study showed an association with a camel’s back curve observed at 60°/s of angular speed [ 31 ], which was an additional argument for the importance of PT. In fact, this curve was described for the first time by Ayalon et al in 2002 during painless active isokinetic open chain extension of the knee [ 54 ] and Dauty et al have reported this anomaly in 81% of professional basketball players with a PT history [ 31 ].…”

“…In 2019, a study showed an association with a camel’s back curve observed at 60°/s of angular speed [ 31 ], which was an additional argument for the importance of PT. In fact, this curve was described for the first time by Ayalon et al in 2002 during painless active isokinetic open chain extension of the knee [ 54 ] and Dauty et al have reported this anomaly in 81% of professional basketball players with a PT history [ 31 ]. Two types were distinguished depending on whether the first peak was greater than the second (type I) or the reverse (type II).…”

“…The isokinetic tests were performed as previously described by Dauty et al [ 31 ]: Isokinetic tests were preceded by an ergocycle warm up of 10 min. The sitting position was defined with a hip angle of 85°.…”

“…During the test, verbal encouragement and visual feedback were provided. The same sports physician conducted all the tests [ 15 , 31 ].…”

“…A qualitative isokinetic double-humped curve observed during quadriceps strength assessment (only at slow angular speed of 60°/s), referred to as a “camel’s back curve”, was identified ( Figure 1 ) [ 31 ].…”