0000000000136239
AUTHOR
Michael Kjaer
Copenhagen consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing
From 19th to 22nd November 2018, 26 researchers representing nine countries and a variety of academic disciplines met in Snekkersten, Denmark, to reach evidence-based consensus about physical activity and older adults. It was recognised that the term ‘older adults’ represents a highly heterogeneous population. It encompasses those that remain highly active and healthy throughout the life-course with a high intrinsic capacity to the very old and frail with low intrinsic capacity. The consensus is drawn from a wide range of research methodologies within epidemiology, medicine, physiology, neuroscience, psychology and sociology, recognising the strength and limitations of each of the methods. …
Human Achilles tendon glycation and function in diabetes
Diabetic patients have an increased risk of foot ulcers, and glycation of collagen may increase tissue stiffness. We hypothesized that the level of glycemic control (glycation) may affect Achilles tendon stiffness, which can influence gait pattern. We therefore investigated the relationship between collagen glycation, Achilles tendon stiffness parameters, and plantar pressure in poorly ( n = 22) and well ( n = 22) controlled diabetic patients, including healthy age-matched (45–70 yr) controls ( n = 11). There were no differences in any of the outcome parameters (collagen cross-linking or tendon stiffness) between patients with well-controlled and poorly controlled diabetes. The overall effe…
Impact of oral contraceptive use and menstrual phases on patellar tendon morphology, biochemical composition, and biomechanical properties in female athletes
Sex differences exist with regards to ligament and tendon injuries. Lower collagen synthesis has been observed in exercising women vs. men, and in users of oral contraceptives (OC) vs. nonusers, but it is unknown if OC will influence tendon biomechanics of women undergoing regular training. Thirty female athletes (handball players, 18–30 yr) were recruited: 15 long-term users of OC (7.0 ± 0.6 yr) and 15 nonusers (>5 yr). Synchronized values of patellar tendon elongation (obtained by ultrasonography) and tendon force were sampled during ramped isometric knee extensor maximum voluntary contraction to estimate mechanical tendon properties. Furthermore, tendon cross-sectional area and lengt…
Lower strength of the human posterior patellar tendon seems unrelated to mature collagen cross-linking and fibril morphology
The human patellar tendon is frequently affected by tendinopathy, but the etiology of the condition is not established, although differential loading of the anterior and posterior tendon may be associated with the condition. We hypothesized that changes in fibril morphology and collagen cross-linking would parallel differences in material strength between the anterior and posterior tendon. Tendon fascicles were obtained from elective ACL surgery patients and tested micromechanically. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess fibril morphology, and collagen cross-linking was determined by HPLC and calorimetry. Anterior fascicles were markedly stronger (peak stress: 54.3 ± 21.2 vs.…
Micromechanical Properties and Collagen Composition of Ruptured Human Achilles Tendon
Background:The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body, and yet it frequently ruptures, which is a substantial clinical problem. However, the cause of ruptures remains elusive.Hypothesis:Ruptured human Achilles tendon displays inferior biomechanical properties and altered collagen composition compared with noninjured tendon.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Biopsy specimens were obtained at the rupture site and the noninjured part of the tendon (internal controls) in 17 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Age- and weight-matched human cadaveric Achilles tendons (external controls) were also obtained. Tendon samples were tested micromechanica…
Type IV collagen and its degradation in paralyzed human muscle: Effect of functional electrical stimulation
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) of paralyzed muscles on type IV collagen content and proteins involving its degradation, which is initiated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and regulated by their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs)-2 and -1. Ten SCI subjects participated in an 18-month program of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of their leg muscles. Needle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before and at various times during the training period, and from able-bodied controls. Type IV collagen concentration was unaltered. ProMMP-2 level of SCI subjects before the training p…
Mechanical Properties of Human Patellar Tendon at the Hierarchical levels of Tendon and Fibril
Tendons are strong hierarchical structures, but how tensile forces are transmitted between different levels remains incompletely understood. Collagen fibrils are thought to be primary determinants of whole tendon properties, and therefore we hypothesized that the whole human patellar tendon and its distinct collagen fibrils would display similar mechanical properties. Human patellar tendons ( n = 5) were mechanically tested in vivo by ultrasonography. Biopsies were obtained from each tendon, and individual collagen fibrils were dissected and tested mechanically by atomic force microscopy. The Young's modulus was 2.0 ± 0.5 GPa, and the toe region reached 3.3 ± 1.9% strain in whole patellar …
Corticosteroid injections, eccentric decline squat training and heavy slow resistance training in patellar tendinopathy.
Udgivelsesdato: Sep-28 A randomized-controlled single-blind trial was conducted to investigate the clinical, structural and functional effects of peritendinous corticosteroid injections (CORT), eccentric decline squat training (ECC) and heavy slow resistance training (HSR) in patellar tendinopathy. Thirty-nine male patients were randomized to CORT, ECC or HSR for 12 weeks. We assessed function and symptoms (VISA-p questionnaire), tendon pain during activity (VAS), treatment satisfaction, tendon swelling, tendon vascularization, tendon mechanical properties and collagen crosslink properties. Assessments were made at 0 weeks, 12 weeks and at follow-up (half-year). All groups improved in VISA-…
Acute exercise induced changes in rat skeletal muscle mRNAs and proteins regulating type IV collagen content
This experiment tested the hypothesis that running-induced damage to rat skeletal muscle causes changes in synthesis and degradation of basement membrane type IV collagen and to proteins regulating its degradation. Samples from soleus muscle and red and white parts of quadriceps femoris muscle (MQF) were collected 6 h or 1, 2, 4, or 7 days after downhill running. Increased muscle β-glucuronidase activity indicated greater muscle damage in the red part of MQF than in the white part of MQF or soleus. In the red part of MQF, type IV collagen expression was upregulated at the pretranslational level and the protein concentration decreased, whereas matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), a protein th…
The influence of physical activity during youth on structural and functional properties of the Achilles tendon
Achilles tendinopathy is a highly prevalent sports injury. Animal studies show a growth response in tendons in response to loading in the immature phase but not after puberty maturation. The aim of this investigation was to examine the structural and material properties in long distance runners who were either physically active (HAY) or inactive (LAY) in young age. Twelve men in HAY group and eight men in LAY group participated. Structural, functional, and biochemical properties of Achilles tendon were estimated from magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound video recordings, mechanical tests, and tendon biopsies, respectively. There was no difference between the groups with respect to tendon …