Implication of Stiffness of the Hamstrings, Achilles Tendon and Calf Muscles for Jumping Performance

For optimal jumping performance an adequate interaction of muscles and tendons is required. A parameter in the functional evaluation of both structures is their stiffness (resistance of the tissue against deformation by external forces). It is unclear so far if higher stiffness values of tendon or muscle or a specific stiffness relation of both tissues is the cause of better jumping performance. The present study examines this based on the Achilles tendon and the calf muscles or the patellar tendon and the hamstrings by three different forms of jumps (squat jump, counter-Movement Jump, Drop-Jump).

The plan is to include young healthy volunteers aged 18 to 40 years. In a cross-sectional study, the jump height of the participants will be measured for each jump form: squat jump (jump from a squatting position), Counter-Movement Jump (jump with backswing by going into the knees) or drop jump (jump from small box with direct re-jump). The order of the jump form is determined randomly. The measurements are carried out within one day. Furthermore the international physical activity questionnaire will be used in order to assess the level of physical activity.

As primary outcome the stiffness of the calf muscles, achilles tendon, hamstring and patellar tendon will be detected. The measurement is carried out before the jumps (there are three jumps after one sample jump performed). The measurement is executed non-invasively and completely painless using Indentometers and MyotonPro. With both devices, minimal pressure on the examined tissue will be exerted and measured how much of this can be compressed.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Tissue Compliance
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Tissue stiffness

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 35
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Hessen
    • Frankfurt/Main, Hessen, Germany, 60487
      • Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Drug intake in the past 48 hours
• Pregnancy
• Muscle soreness

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
OTHER: Squat Jump	Other: Tissue stiffness
OTHER: Drop Jump	Other: Tissue stiffness
OTHER: Countermovement Jump	Other: Tissue stiffness

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Tissue Stiffness (calf muscles, achilles tendon, hamstring and patellar tendon) using two different tissue compliance meter (Indentometer Pro; Myoton Pro).	15 Min.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Jumping performance (counter movement jump, drop jump, squat jump) using a contact time mat (Refitronic)	10 Min

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Goethe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): April 1, 2017
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): April 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2016
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): July 25, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): February 28, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 27, 2018
• Last Verified: February 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: SpM2016-004