Impact of patellar tendinopathy on isokinetic knee strength and jumps in professional basketball players

Key Points

1. Isolated quadriceps strength, as indicated by isokinetic limb symmetry index and peak torque, revealed a between-limb decrement in athletes with patellar tendinopathy.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Chronic capacity exceeding sports injuries result in frequent time-loss from sport participation. Patellar tendinopathy is a prime example of such pathology that permeates sports that demand persistent cyclical rate loading on the extensor mechanism, ultimately manifesting as pain and functional decrement (1). Clinical findings of pain upon palpation of the inferior pole of the patella and with stretch-shorten cycle activities often support the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy (2).

The ability to assess functional capacity during the pre-season, determine modifiable rate limiters, and establish priorities for intervention would be valuable in the pursuit of rectifying the negative consequences of patellar tendinopathy. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to compare knee isokinetic strength and jumping performance between athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy. The secondary purpose was to establish if an association exists between isolated and emergent capacities.

Patellar tendinopathy permeates sports that demand persistent cyclical rate loading of the knee extensors.

Understanding that tendinopathy may ensue a reduction in quadriceps capacity and conservation of jump output via compensatory strategies warrants prioritization of extensor strength in isolation.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 62 professional basketball players with a mean age of 25.0 ± 4.0. Out of the 62 participants, a patellar tendinopathy diagnosis was assigned to a total of 24 athletes via focal inferior pole of the patella pain

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