TY - JOUR

T1 - Ultrasound-based testing of tendon mechanical properties

T2 - a critical evaluation

AU - Seynnes, O R

AU - Bojsen-Møller, J.

AU - Albracht, K

AU - Arndt, A

AU - Cronin, N J

AU - Finni, T

AU - Magnusson, S P

N1 - Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

PY - 2015/1/15

Y1 - 2015/1/15

N2 - In the past 20 years, the use of ultrasound-based methods has become a standard approach to measure tendon mechanical properties in vivo. Yet the multitude of methodological approaches adopted by various research groups probably contribute to the large variability of reported values. The technique of obtaining and relating tendon deformation to tensile force in vivo has been applied differently, depending on practical constraints or scientific points of view. Divergence can be seen in 1) methodological considerations, such as the choice of anatomical features to scan and to track, force measurements, or signal synchronization; and 2) in physiological considerations related to the viscoelastic behavior or length measurements of tendons. Hence, the purpose of the present review is to assess and discuss the physiological and technical aspects connected to in vivo testing of tendon mechanical properties. In doing so, our aim is to provide the reader with a qualitative analysis of ultrasound-based techniques. Finally, a list of recommendations is proposed for a number of selected issues.

AB - In the past 20 years, the use of ultrasound-based methods has become a standard approach to measure tendon mechanical properties in vivo. Yet the multitude of methodological approaches adopted by various research groups probably contribute to the large variability of reported values. The technique of obtaining and relating tendon deformation to tensile force in vivo has been applied differently, depending on practical constraints or scientific points of view. Divergence can be seen in 1) methodological considerations, such as the choice of anatomical features to scan and to track, force measurements, or signal synchronization; and 2) in physiological considerations related to the viscoelastic behavior or length measurements of tendons. Hence, the purpose of the present review is to assess and discuss the physiological and technical aspects connected to in vivo testing of tendon mechanical properties. In doing so, our aim is to provide the reader with a qualitative analysis of ultrasound-based techniques. Finally, a list of recommendations is proposed for a number of selected issues.

KW - Biomechanical Phenomena

KW - Humans

KW - Tendons

U2 - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00849.2014

DO - 10.1152/japplphysiol.00849.2014

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25414247

VL - 118

SP - 133

EP - 141

JO - Journal of Applied Physiology

JF - Journal of Applied Physiology

SN - 8750-7587

IS - 2

ER -