Patellar tendinopathy impairs postural control in athletes: A case-control study

Thouraya Fendri; Sébastien Boyas; Sonia Sahli; Mohammed Achraf Harrabi; Fatma Chaari; Haithem Rebai; Bruno Beaune

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.10.014

Patellar tendinopathy impairs postural control in athletes: A case-control study

Phys Ther Sport. 2022 Jan:53:14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.10.014. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

Authors

Thouraya Fendri¹, Sébastien Boyas², Sonia Sahli³, Mohammed Achraf Harrabi⁴, Fatma Chaari⁵, Haithem Rebai⁶, Bruno Beaune⁷

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory 'Education, Motricity, Sports and Health', (EM2S, LR19JS01), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: thouraya.fendri.1@gmail.com.
² Laboratory 'Movement, Interactions, Performance', Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Le Mans University, Le Mans, France. Electronic address: sebastien.boyas@univ-lemans.fr.
³ Laboratory 'Education, Motricity, Sports and Health', (EM2S, LR19JS01), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: sonia.sahli@isseps.usf.tn.
⁴ Laboratory 'Education, Motricity, Sports and Health', (EM2S, LR19JS01), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: harrabi.medachraf@gmail.com.
⁵ Laboratory 'Education, Motricity, Sports and Health', (EM2S, LR19JS01), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: chaarifatma94@gmail.com.
⁶ Laboratory 'Education, Motricity, Sports and Health', (EM2S, LR19JS01), High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: haithem.rebai@isseps.usf.tn.
⁷ Laboratory 'Movement, Interactions, Performance', Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Le Mans University, Le Mans, France. Electronic address: bruno.beaune@univ-lemans.fr.

PMID: 34773760
DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.10.014

Abstract

Objective: To compare postural control performance between athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy (PT).

Design: Case-control study.

Participants: Fifty-eight athletes, 29 with PT (PT group: PTG) and 29 healthy ones (control group: CG).

Main outcome measures: Static and dynamic postural control were assessed with a force platform and the Y-Balance Test (Y-BT), respectively. Quadriceps strength of both limbs was evaluated using an isometric dynamometer.

Results: The PTG exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher centre of pressure (CoP) values than the CG on the foam surface, and significantly lower (p < 0.001) anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral normalized reach distances, and composite score in dynamic postural control on the injured limb (IL) compared to non-injured limb (NIL) and dominant limb (DL) of the CG. The quadriceps muscle strength was significantly lower on the IL compared to the NIL (p < 0.01) and DL (p < 0.05) of the CG.

Conclusion: Athletes suffering from PT exhibited worse static and dynamic postural control compared to healthy peers. As players with PT frequently continue training despite their tendon pain, physiotherapists and clinicians should incorporate balance rehabilitation programs in the treatment of these players, not only to prevent further potential injuries but also to enhance sport performance.

Keywords: Knee injury; Postural control; Quadriceps muscle strength; Sport-related injury.

MeSH terms

Athletes
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Postural Balance
Tendinopathy*