Patellar tendon properties distinguish elite from non-elite soccer players and are related to peak horizontal but not vertical power

Purpose: The aims of our study were to investigate differences in tendon properties between elite and non-elite soccer players, and to establish whether tendon properties were related to power assessed during unilateral jumps in different directions. Methods: Elite (n=16; age, 18.1 ± 1.0yrs) and non-elite (n=13; age, 22.3 ± 2.7yrs) soccer players performed three repetitions of each type (unilateral vertical, unilateral horizontal-forward and unilateral medial) of countermovement jump (CMJ) on a force plate. Patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA), elongation, stiffness and Young’s modulus (measured at the highest common force interval) were assessed with ultrasonography and isokinetic dynamometry. Results: Elite soccer players demonstrated greater PT elongation (6.83±1.87 vs. 4.92±1.88 mm, P=0.011) and strain (11.73±3.25 vs. 8.38±3.06 %, P=0.009) than non-elite. Projectile range and peak horizontal power during unilateral horizontal-forward CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r=0.657 and 0.693, P<0.001) but inversely with Young’s modulus (r=-0.376 and -0.402, P=0.044 and 0.031). Peak medial power during unilateral medial CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r=0.658, P=<0.001) but inversely with tendon stiffness (r=-0.368, P=0.050). No tendon property correlated with unilateral vertical CMJ performance (r≤0.168; P≥0.204). Conclusions: Patellar tendon strain was greater in elite vs. non-elite soccer players and can therefore be considered an indicator of elite soccer playing status. Moreover, a more compliant patellar tendon appears to facilitate unilateral horizontal-forward and medial, but not vertical CMJ performance in soccer players. These findings should be considered when prescribing the detail of talent selection and development protocols related to direction-specific power in elite soccer players

Outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and the influence of IBD-related medications- A Danish prospective population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Population-based data regarding outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) remain limited. METHODS: We conducted a population-based study investigating the outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with UC and CD in Denmark. The Danish COVID-19 IBD Database is an extensive population-based database which prospectively monitors the disease course of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 among patients with UC and CD. Severe COVID-19 was defined as COVID-19 necessitating intensive care unit admission, ventilator use, or death, while adverse COVID-19 was defined as requirement of COVID-19 related hospitalization. Regression analysis was adjusted for age, sex, disease type, disease activity, cardiovascular disease, and corticosteroids. Outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with UC and CD were compared with those among the background population covering all incidents of COVID-19 in Denmark. RESULTS: The study included 319 patients with UC and 197 patients with CD from January 28(th), 2020, to April 1(st), 2021. Baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1. A significantly higher risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization was observed among patients with UC (N=46(14.4%), RR=2.49 (95%CI 1.91–3.26)) and CD (N=24(12.2%), RR=2.11 (95%CI 1.45–3.07)) as compared with the background population (N=13,306 (5.8%)). A similar pattern was observed for admission to intensive care (UC: N=8(2.51%), RR=27.88 (95%CI 13.88–56.00); CD: N=3 (1.52%), RR=16.92 (95%CI 5.46–52.46)) (Figure 1). The association between these outcomes and IBD-related clinical characteristics and treatments is presented in Tables 2–3. As shown, none of the IBD-related medications were associated with severe COVID-19 in univariate and multivariable analysis. However, systemic steroids were found to be associated with an increased risk of adverse COVID-19 among patients with CD (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=13.62 (95% CI 1.98–17.77)). [Image: see text] [Image: see text] [Image: see text] [Image: see text] CONCLUSION: This Danish population-based study on COVID-19 outcomes among patients with UC and CD demonstrated severe COVID-19 among only a minority of patients, which was not associated with IBD-related medications. Apart from systemic steroids, this study encourages continued use of IBD therapy to prevent IBD relapse and complications

Outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and the influence of IBD-related medications - A Danish prospective population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Population-based data regarding outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are limited. Studies on the association of COVID-19 outcomes and immunomodulating therapies, are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a population-based study investigating the outcomes of COVID-19 among patients with UC and CD in Denmark. METHODS: The Danish COVID-19 IBD Database is an extensive population-based database that prospectively monitors the disease course of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 among patients with UC and CD in Denmark. Severe COVID-19 was defined as COVID-19 necessitating intensive care unit admission, ventilator use, or death. Regression analysis was adjusted for age, sex, disease type, disease activity, cardiovascular disease, and corticosteroids. RESULTS: The study recruited 363 patients (UC: 223; CD: 140) from January 28(th), 2020, to February 7(th), 2021. A total of 36 (16.1%) and 18 (12.9%) patients with UC and CD, respectively, required a COVID-19 related hospitalization, while eight (3.6%) and three (2.1%) patients required intensive care treatment. Death due to COVID-19 was observed among eight (3.6%) and two (1.4%) patients, respectively. The association between these outcomes and IBD-related treatment is presented in Table 1. As shown, none of the IBD-related medications were associated with severe COVID-19 in univariate and adjusted analysis. However, systemic steroids were found to be associated with the risk of COVID-19 related hospital admission among patients with UC (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=6.54 (95% CI 1.09-36.39)) and CD (aOR=5.45 (95% CI 2.07-12.24)). [Image: see text] CONCLUSION: This ongoing Danish population-based study on COVID-19 outcomes among patients with UC and CD demonstrated severe COVID-19 among only a minority of patients, which was not associated with IBD-related medications. However, use of systemic steroids were associated with COVID-19 necessitating hospital admission among patients with UC and CD

The magnitude and character of resistance-training-induced increase in tendon stiffness at old age is gender specific

Human tendon mechanical properties are modified with loading. Moreover, there are indications that the training response in the tendon is gender specific. The aim of the current study was to examine whether in vivo patella tendon stiffness (K) differentially alters with training in older males compared with females. We also aimed to identify which endocrine pathway underlies the responses. Maximal knee extensor forces were also monitored to determine the training effect on muscle function. Fourteen healthy, habitually active older persons (seven males aged 74.0 ± 1.2 years (mean±SEM) and seven females aged 76.7 ± 1.2 years) were tested at baseline and after 12 weeks of weekly, progressive resistance training. With training, percentage increase in quadriceps maximum voluntary isometric force (MVC) was similar in males (2,469.6 ± 168.0 to 3,097.3 ± 261.9 N; +25.3 ± 6.1% (p < 0.01)) and females (1,728.8 ± 136.3 to 2,166.5 ± 135.8 N; +30.4 ± 15.1% (p < 0.05)), respectively. K increased more in males (338.0 ± 26.6 to 616.9 ± 58.7 N/mm; 79.8 ± 4.2% (p < 0.001)) compared to females (338.9 ± 31.0 to 373.2 ± 25.8 N/mm; +13.0 ± 3.7% (p < 0.001)). Interestingly, a pattern was found whereby below ~40% MVC, the females showed their greatest degree of K changes, whereas the males showed their greatest degree of K change above this relative force level. This gender contrast was also true at a standardised force level (1,200 N), with 5.8 ± 0.4% vs. 82.5 ± 1.8% increments in the females (i.e. value change from 380.3 ± 14.1 to 402.4 ± 13.3 N/mm) and the males (i.e. value change from 317.8 ± 13.8 to 580.2 ± 30.9 N/mm), respectively (p < 0.001). While circulating levels of both IGF-I and IL-6 did not alter with training, IGFBP-3 showed a significant training effect (19.1 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001) and only in the male sub-group (p = 0.038). We show here that with training, in vivo older females' tendon is less dramatically modulated than that of males'. We also show that the relative forces, at which the greatest adaptations are exhibited, differ by gender, with a suggestion of endocrine adaptations in males only. We thus propose that both training and rehabilitation regimens should consider gender-specific tendon responsiveness, at least in older persons