Information about a piece of news titled High prevalence patellar tendinopathy among elite athletes in speed and power demanding sports
High prevalence patellar tendinopathy among elite athletes in speed and power demanding sports
Intoduction
The prevalence of patellar tendinopathy in different sports is mostly unknown. Epidemiological data from previous studies concerning surgical treatment have indicated that there may be a high prevalence in sports with high demands to speed and power, but data from adequate cross-sectional studies are lacking.
Additionally, the prevalence among female athletes is unknown as well as the duration and seriousness of the symptoms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was therefore to estimate the prevalence of patellar tendinopathy in different sports among female and male athletes, and to correlate the prevalence to the loading pattern of the extensor mechanism in different sports.
The study examines the prevalence of patellar tendinopathy in elite-level Norwegian athletes in different sports. The individual characteristics (weight, age, height) and training background are examined. Seriousness is described by VISA-score, which is a function-score specially designed for this purpose.
The overall prevalence of current patellar tendinopathy was 11% (62/557) and previous patellar tendinopathy 10% (47/557), with a significant difference between sports with different performance characteristics. There was a significant higher prevalence in sports characterized by ballistic movements, speed and power. The mean duration of the symptoms was 28 months. The prevalence of current patellar tendinopathy in female handball and female soccer is approximately 5%.
The prevalence of patellar tendinopathy is high in sports characterized by high demands to speed and power on the leg extensor mechanism. The symptoms are often serious resulting in long-standing impairment of athletic performance.