Publication
Title
Evidence of widespread mechanical hyperalgesia but not exercise-induced analgesia in athletes with mild patellar tendinopathy compared with pain-free matched controls : a blinded exploratory study
Author
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to assess centrally induced pain processing with pressure pain thresholds bilaterally and remotely in active volleyball and basketball athletes with mild patellar tendinopathy compared with asymptomatic control athletes. Secondary objective was to explore the role of exercise-induced analgesia during a training session in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. Design In this exploratory study, pressure pain thresholds of 21 patellar tendinopathy athletes and 16 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic team members were measured by a blinded assessor bilaterally on the patellar tendon and unilaterally on the elbow extensor tendon with a pressure algometer before, during, and after a regular training session. Results Patellar tendinopathy athletes had a significantly higher average body mass index compared with asymptomatic athletes (mean difference 1.75 kg/m(2); 95% confidence interval = 0.35-3.15, P = 0.02). At baseline, athletes with patellar tendinopathy showed lowered pressure pain thresholds in the affected knee (P = 0.001), unaffected knee (P < 0.001), and elbow (P = 0.01) compared with controls. No clear patterns were identified to explain between-group differences in pressure pain thresholds before, during, and after exercise. Conclusions This exploratory study found primary and secondary mechanical hyperalgesia in athletes with patellar tendinopathy compared with asymptomatic athletes. Further research is required on the effects of an acute exercise bout on pain thresholds in this population.
Language
English
Source (journal)
American journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation. - Baltimore, Md
Publication
Baltimore, Md : 2021
ISSN
0894-9115
DOI
10.1097/PHM.0000000000001673
Volume/pages
100 :10 (2021) , p. 946-951
ISI
000696338000012
Pubmed ID
33350645
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
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Creation 05.10.2021
Last edited 02.10.2024
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