Does the Structure of the Tendon Relate to the Temporal, Kinetic and Kinematic Jump Variables? Athletes Vs. Non Athletes

Does the Structure of the Tendon Relate to the Temporal, Kinetic and Kinematic Jump Variables? Athletes Vs. Non Athletes: an Observational Study

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the relationship between temporal, kinetic, and kinematic jump variables and patellar and Achilles tendons' structure in athletes and non-athletes. The main research questions are:

Does the structure of the patellar and Achilles tendons relate to the temporal, kinetic, and kinematic jump variables? Does the relationship between these variables differ between athletes and non-athletes? To answer these questions, researchers will compare the two groups to determine if the relationships between the variables are similar. Participants will undergo a UTC (Ultrasound Tissue Characterization) scan of the patellar and Achilles tendons and perform five jumps: a countermovement jump, a single-leg countermovement jump on each leg and a single-leg horizontal jump on each leg.

Inclusion Criteria for the Athletes Group:

1. Being a volleyball athlete competing in the 1st or 2nd division of the portuguese national championship;
2. Participating in training and games for more than 20 hours per week.

Exclusion Criteria for the Athletes Group:

1. Presence of any musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory, or metabolic condition that affects jumping performance;
2. Absence from competition due to injury or illness in the last two weeks;
3. History of tendon rupture;
4. Previous tendon surgery;
5. Diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy in the last 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria for the Non-Athletes Group:

1. Presence of any musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory, or metabolic condition that affects jumping performance;
2. Absence from competition due to injury or illness in the last two weeks;
3. History of tendon rupture;
4. Previous tendon surgery;
5. Diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy in the last 12 months;
6. Previous participation in a jumping sport.