@misc{QuarmbyMoennigMugeleetal.2023, author = {Quarmby, Andrew and M{\"o}nnig, Jamal and Mugele, Hendrik and Henschke, Jakob and Kim, MyoungHwee and Cassel, Michael and Engel, Tilman}, title = {Biomechanics and lower limb function are altered in athletes and runners with achilles tendinopathy compared with healthy controls: A systematic review}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {830}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-58760}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-587603}, pages = {20}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a debilitating injury in athletes, especially for those engaged in repetitive stretch-shortening cycle activities. Clinical risk factors are numerous, but it has been suggested that altered biomechanics might be associated with AT. No systematic review has been conducted investigating these biomechanical alterations in specifically athletic populations. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to compare the lower-limb biomechanics of athletes with AT to athletically matched asymptomatic controls. Databases were searched for relevant studies investigating biomechanics during gait activities and other motor tasks such as hopping, isolated strength tasks, and reflex responses. Inclusion criteria for studies were an AT diagnosis in at least one group, cross-sectional or prospective data, at least one outcome comparing biomechanical data between an AT and healthy group, and athletic populations. Studies were excluded if patients had Achilles tendon rupture/surgery, participants reported injuries other than AT, and when only within-subject data was available.. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) with 95\% confidence intervals were calculated for relevant outcomes. The initial search yielded 4,442 studies. After screening, twenty studies (775 total participants) were synthesised, reporting on a wide range of biomechanical outcomes. Females were under-represented and patients in the AT group were three years older on average. Biomechanical alterations were identified in some studies during running, hopping, jumping, strength tasks and reflex activity. Equally, several biomechanical variables studied were not associated with AT in included studies, indicating a conflicting picture. Kinematics in AT patients appeared to be altered in the lower limb, potentially indicating a pattern of "medial collapse". Muscular activity of the calf and hips was different between groups, whereby AT patients exhibited greater calf electromyographic amplitudes despite lower plantar flexor strength. Overall, dynamic maximal strength of the plantar flexors, and isometric strength of the hips might be reduced in the AT group. This systematic review reports on several biomechanical alterations in athletes with AT. With further research, these factors could potentially form treatment targets for clinicians, although clinical approaches should take other contributing health factors into account. The studies included were of low quality, and currently no solid conclusions can be drawn.}, language = {en} } @article{QuarmbyMoennigMugeleetal.2023, author = {Quarmby, Andrew and M{\"o}nnig, Jamal and Mugele, Hendrik and Henschke, Jakob and Kim, MyoungHwee and Cassel, Michael and Engel, Tilman}, title = {Biomechanics and lower limb function are altered in athletes and runners with achilles tendinopathy compared with healthy controls: A systematic review}, series = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}, journal = {Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne, Schweiz}, issn = {2624-9367}, doi = {10.3389/fspor.2022.1012471}, pages = {20}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a debilitating injury in athletes, especially for those engaged in repetitive stretch-shortening cycle activities. Clinical risk factors are numerous, but it has been suggested that altered biomechanics might be associated with AT. No systematic review has been conducted investigating these biomechanical alterations in specifically athletic populations. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to compare the lower-limb biomechanics of athletes with AT to athletically matched asymptomatic controls. Databases were searched for relevant studies investigating biomechanics during gait activities and other motor tasks such as hopping, isolated strength tasks, and reflex responses. Inclusion criteria for studies were an AT diagnosis in at least one group, cross-sectional or prospective data, at least one outcome comparing biomechanical data between an AT and healthy group, and athletic populations. Studies were excluded if patients had Achilles tendon rupture/surgery, participants reported injuries other than AT, and when only within-subject data was available.. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) with 95\% confidence intervals were calculated for relevant outcomes. The initial search yielded 4,442 studies. After screening, twenty studies (775 total participants) were synthesised, reporting on a wide range of biomechanical outcomes. Females were under-represented and patients in the AT group were three years older on average. Biomechanical alterations were identified in some studies during running, hopping, jumping, strength tasks and reflex activity. Equally, several biomechanical variables studied were not associated with AT in included studies, indicating a conflicting picture. Kinematics in AT patients appeared to be altered in the lower limb, potentially indicating a pattern of "medial collapse". Muscular activity of the calf and hips was different between groups, whereby AT patients exhibited greater calf electromyographic amplitudes despite lower plantar flexor strength. Overall, dynamic maximal strength of the plantar flexors, and isometric strength of the hips might be reduced in the AT group. This systematic review reports on several biomechanical alterations in athletes with AT. With further research, these factors could potentially form treatment targets for clinicians, although clinical approaches should take other contributing health factors into account. The studies included were of low quality, and currently no solid conclusions can be drawn.}, language = {en} } @article{RischMayerCassel2021, author = {Risch, Lucie and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Doppler flow response following running exercise differs between healthy and tendinopathic Achilles tendons}, series = {Frontiers in Physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.650507}, pages = {10}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: The relationship between exercise-induced intratendinous blood flow (IBF) and tendon pathology or training exposure is unclear. Objective: This study investigates the acute effect of running exercise on sonographic detectable IBF in healthy and tendinopathic Achilles tendons (ATs) of runners and recreational participants. Methods: 48 participants (43 ± 13 years, 176 ± 9 cm, 75 ± 11 kg) performed a standardized submaximal 30-min constant load treadmill run with Doppler ultrasound "Advanced dynamic flow" examinations before (Upre) and 5, 30, 60, and 120 min (U5-U120) afterward. Included were runners (>30 km/week) and recreational participants (<10 km/week) with healthy (Hrun, n = 10; Hrec, n = 15) or tendinopathic (Trun, n = 13; Trec, n = 10) ATs. IBF was assessed by counting number [n] of intratendinous vessels. IBF data are presented descriptively (\%, median [minimum to maximum range] for baseline-IBF and IBF-difference post-exercise). Statistical differences for group and time point IBF and IBF changes were analyzed with Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: At baseline, IBF was detected in 40\% (3 [1-6]) of Hrun, in 53\% (4 [1-5]) of Hrec, in 85\% (3 [1-25]) of Trun, and 70\% (10 [2-30]) of Trec. At U5 IBF responded to exercise in 30\% (3 [-1-9]) of Hrun, in 53\% (4 [-2-6]) of Hrec, in 70\% (4 [-10-10]) of Trun, and in 80\% (5 [1-10]) of Trec. While IBF in 80\% of healthy responding ATs returned to baseline at U30, IBF remained elevated until U120 in 60\% of tendinopathic ATs. Within groups, IBF changes from Upre-U120 were significant for Hrec (p < 0.01), Trun (p = 0.05), and Trec (p < 0.01). Between groups, IBF changes in consecutive examinations were not significantly different (p > 0.05) but IBF-level was significantly higher at all measurement time points in tendinopathic versus healthy ATs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Irrespective of training status and tendon pathology, running leads to an immediate increase of IBF in responding tendons. This increase occurs shortly in healthy and prolonged in tendinopathic ATs. Training exposure does not alter IBF occurrence, but IBF level is elevated in tendon pathology. While an immediate exercise-induced IBF increase is a physiological response, prolonged IBF is considered a pathological finding associated with Achilles tendinopathy.}, language = {en} } @misc{RischStollSchomoelleretal.2021, author = {Risch, Lucie and Stoll, Josefine and Schom{\"o}ller, Anne and Engel, Tilman and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Intraindividual Doppler Flow Response to Exercise Differs Between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Achilles Tendons}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam}, address = {Potsdam}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54286}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-542865}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Objective: This study investigated intraindividual differences of intratendinous blood flow (IBF) in response to running exercise in participants with Achilles tendinopathy. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at the University Outpatient Clinic. Participants: Sonographic detectable intratendinous blood flow was examined in symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic Achilles tendons of 19 participants (42 ± 13 years, 178 ± 10 cm, 76 ± 12 kg, VISA-A 75 ± 16) with clinically diagnosed unilateral Achilles tendinopathy and sonographic evident tendinosis. Intervention: IBF was assessed using Doppler ultrasound "Advanced Dynamic Flow" before (Upre) and 5, 30, 60, and 120 min (U5-U120) after a standardized submaximal constant load run. Main Outcome Measure: IBF was quantified by counting the number (n) of vessels in each tendon. Results: At Upre, IBF was higher in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic tendons [mean 6.3 (95\% CI: 2.8-9.9) and 1.7 (0.4-2.9), p < 0.01]. Overall, 63\% of symptomatic and 47\% of asymptomatic Achilles tendons responded to exercise, whereas 16 and 11\% showed persisting IBF and 21 and 42\% remained avascular throughout the investigation. At U5, IBF increased in both symptomatic and asymptomatic tendons [difference to baseline: 2.4 (0.3-4.5) and 0.9 (0.5-1.4), p = 0.05]. At U30 to U120, IBF was still increased in symptomatic but not in asymptomatic tendons [mean difference to baseline: 1.9 (0.8-2.9) and 0.1 (-0.9 to 1.2), p < 0.01]. Conclusion: Irrespective of pathology, 47-63\% of Achilles tendons responded to exercise with an immediate acute physiological IBF increase by an average of one to two vessels ("responders"). A higher amount of baseline IBF (approximately five vessels) and a prolonged exercise-induced IBF response found in symptomatic ATs indicate a pain-associated altered intratendinous "neovascularization."}, language = {en} } @misc{RischMayerCassel2021, author = {Risch, Lucie and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Doppler flow response following running exercise differs between healthy and tendinopathic Achilles tendons}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe}, issn = {1866-8364}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-52136}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-521367}, pages = {12}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: The relationship between exercise-induced intratendinous blood flow (IBF) and tendon pathology or training exposure is unclear. Objective: This study investigates the acute effect of running exercise on sonographic detectable IBF in healthy and tendinopathic Achilles tendons (ATs) of runners and recreational participants. Methods: 48 participants (43 ± 13 years, 176 ± 9 cm, 75 ± 11 kg) performed a standardized submaximal 30-min constant load treadmill run with Doppler ultrasound "Advanced dynamic flow" examinations before (Upre) and 5, 30, 60, and 120 min (U5-U120) afterward. Included were runners (>30 km/week) and recreational participants (<10 km/week) with healthy (Hrun, n = 10; Hrec, n = 15) or tendinopathic (Trun, n = 13; Trec, n = 10) ATs. IBF was assessed by counting number [n] of intratendinous vessels. IBF data are presented descriptively (\%, median [minimum to maximum range] for baseline-IBF and IBF-difference post-exercise). Statistical differences for group and time point IBF and IBF changes were analyzed with Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: At baseline, IBF was detected in 40\% (3 [1-6]) of Hrun, in 53\% (4 [1-5]) of Hrec, in 85\% (3 [1-25]) of Trun, and 70\% (10 [2-30]) of Trec. At U5 IBF responded to exercise in 30\% (3 [-1-9]) of Hrun, in 53\% (4 [-2-6]) of Hrec, in 70\% (4 [-10-10]) of Trun, and in 80\% (5 [1-10]) of Trec. While IBF in 80\% of healthy responding ATs returned to baseline at U30, IBF remained elevated until U120 in 60\% of tendinopathic ATs. Within groups, IBF changes from Upre-U120 were significant for Hrec (p < 0.01), Trun (p = 0.05), and Trec (p < 0.01). Between groups, IBF changes in consecutive examinations were not significantly different (p > 0.05) but IBF-level was significantly higher at all measurement time points in tendinopathic versus healthy ATs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Irrespective of training status and tendon pathology, running leads to an immediate increase of IBF in responding tendons. This increase occurs shortly in healthy and prolonged in tendinopathic ATs. Training exposure does not alter IBF occurrence, but IBF level is elevated in tendon pathology. While an immediate exercise-induced IBF increase is a physiological response, prolonged IBF is considered a pathological finding associated with Achilles tendinopathy.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Cassel2021, author = {Cassel, Michael}, title = {Klinische Analyse der physiologischen und pathologischen Sehnenadaptation an sportliche Belastung}, year = {2021}, language = {de} } @article{RischStollSchomoelleretal.2020, author = {Risch, Lucie and Stoll, Josefine and Schom{\"o}ller, Anne and Engel, Tilman and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Intraindividual Doppler Flow Response to Exercise Differs Between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Achilles Tendons}, series = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne, Schweiz}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.617497}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective: This study investigated intraindividual differences of intratendinous blood flow (IBF) in response to running exercise in participants with Achilles tendinopathy. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at the University Outpatient Clinic. Participants: Sonographic detectable intratendinous blood flow was examined in symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic Achilles tendons of 19 participants (42 ± 13 years, 178 ± 10 cm, 76 ± 12 kg, VISA-A 75 ± 16) with clinically diagnosed unilateral Achilles tendinopathy and sonographic evident tendinosis. Intervention: IBF was assessed using Doppler ultrasound "Advanced Dynamic Flow" before (Upre) and 5, 30, 60, and 120 min (U5-U120) after a standardized submaximal constant load run. Main Outcome Measure: IBF was quantified by counting the number (n) of vessels in each tendon. Results: At Upre, IBF was higher in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic tendons [mean 6.3 (95\% CI: 2.8-9.9) and 1.7 (0.4-2.9), p < 0.01]. Overall, 63\% of symptomatic and 47\% of asymptomatic Achilles tendons responded to exercise, whereas 16 and 11\% showed persisting IBF and 21 and 42\% remained avascular throughout the investigation. At U5, IBF increased in both symptomatic and asymptomatic tendons [difference to baseline: 2.4 (0.3-4.5) and 0.9 (0.5-1.4), p = 0.05]. At U30 to U120, IBF was still increased in symptomatic but not in asymptomatic tendons [mean difference to baseline: 1.9 (0.8-2.9) and 0.1 (-0.9 to 1.2), p < 0.01]. Conclusion: Irrespective of pathology, 47-63\% of Achilles tendons responded to exercise with an immediate acute physiological IBF increase by an average of one to two vessels ("responders"). A higher amount of baseline IBF (approximately five vessels) and a prolonged exercise-induced IBF response found in symptomatic ATs indicate a pain-associated altered intratendinous "neovascularization."}, language = {en} } @misc{JoostBrechtMayeretal.2020, author = {Joost, Theresa Anna and Brecht, Pia and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Feasibility of open low-field MRI measurements in adolescent athletes with spondylolisthesis}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {52}, journal = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, number = {17}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, doi = {10.1249/01.mss.0000683832.74059.9d}, pages = {790 -- 790}, year = {2020}, abstract = {PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of upright compared to supine MRI measurements to determine characteristics of the lumbar spine in AA with spondylolisthesis. METHODS: Ten AA (n=10; m/f: 4/6; 14.5±1.7y; 163±7cm; 52±8kg) from various sports, diagnosed with spondylolisthesis grade I-II Meyerding confirmed by x-ray in standing lateral view, were included. Open low-field MRI images (0.25 Tesla) in upright (82°) and supine (0°) position were evaluated by two observers. Medical imaging software was used to measure the anterior translation (AT, mm), lumbosacral joint angle (LSJA, °) and lordosis angle (LA, °). Reliability was analyzed by the intra-rater correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurements (SEM). RESULTS: Due to motion artifacts during upright position, measures of three participants had to be excluded. Between observers, AT ranged from 4.2±2.7mm to 5.5±1.9mm (ICC=0.94, SEM=0.6mm) in upright and from 4.9±2.4mm to 5.9±3.0mm (ICC=0.89, SEM=0.9mm) in supine position. LSJA varied from 5.1±2.2° to 7.3±1.5° (ICC=0.54, SEM=1.5°) in upright and from 9.8±2.5° to 10±2.4° (ICC=0.73, SEM=1.1°) in supine position. LA differed from 58.8±14.6° to 61.9±6° (ICC=0.94, SEM=1.19°) in upright and from 51.9±11.7° to 52.6±11.1° (ICC=0.98, SEM=1.59°) in supine position. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of AT and LA showed good to excellent reliability in both, upright and supine position. In contrast, reliability of LSJA had only moderate to good correlation between observers and should therefore be interpreted with caution. However, motion artifacts should be taken into consideration during upright imaging procedures.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RischBashfordKuligetal.2020, author = {Risch, Lucie and Bashford, Greg and Kulig, Kornelia and Kaplick, Hannes and Mayer, Frank and Cassel, Michael}, title = {Spatial frequency analysis identifies altered local Micromorphology in adolescent athletes with Achilles tendinopathy}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : MSSE ; official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {52}, booktitle = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : MSSE ; official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, doi = {10.1249/01.mss.0000670932.99564.57}, pages = {82 -- 82}, year = {2020}, language = {en} } @article{CasselStollSchugardtetal.2019, author = {Cassel, Michael and Stoll, Josefine and Schugardt, Monique and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Overuse and injury prevention}, series = {Elite youth cycling}, journal = {Elite youth cycling}, publisher = {Routledge}, address = {London}, isbn = {978-1-315-11077-6}, pages = {141 -- 159}, year = {2019}, language = {en} }