MOVEMENT SCREENING TOOL IDENTIFYING ATHLETES AT RISK OF DEVELOPING PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a movement screening tool to predict the presense of patellar tendon abnormality (PTA) in asymptomatic athletes who are at an increased risk of developing patellar tendinopathy (PT). Ten asymptomatic junior preelite basketball athletes with a PTA were matched with ten athletes with normal patellar tendons. Participant’s landing technique during stop-jump movement, lower limb flexibility, adiposity, and vertical jump performance were measured. An easily implemented screening tool comprising of the criteria of hip range of motion and knee angle at initial foot-force platform contact during landing, and quadriceps flexibility, can now be measured in athletes to enable coaches and/or clinicians to predict for the presence of a PTA, and in turn, identify athletes at higher risk of developing PT.