title: Whole-body vibration training induces hypertrophy of the human patellar tendon.
abstract: Animal studies suggest that regular exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) induces an anabolic response in bone and tendon. However, the effects of this type of intervention on human tendon properties and its influence on the muscle-tendon unit function have never been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of WBV training on the patellar tendon mechanical, material and morphological properties, the quadriceps muscle architecture and the knee extension torque-angle relationship. Fifty-five subjects were randomized into either a vibration, an active control, or an inactive control group. The active control subjects performed isometric squats on a vibration platform without vibration. Muscle and tendon properties were measured using ultrasonography and dynamometry. Vibration training induced an increase in proximal (6.3%) and mean (3.8%) tendon cross-sectional area, without any appreciable change in tendon stiffness and modulus or in muscle architectural parameters. Isometric torque at a knee angle of 90° increased in active controls (6.7%) only and the torque-angle relation remained globally unchanged in all groups. The present protocol did not appreciably alter knee extension torque production or the musculo-tendinous parameters underpinning this function. Nonetheless, this study shows for the first time that WBV elicits tendon hypertrophy in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rieder
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wiesinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kösters
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: O R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Seynnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mechanical properties; length-tension relationship; material properties; strength