No Side Difference Between Achilles Tendon Characteristics in Female Division One Collegiate Gymnasts Post Exercise: Preliminary Study

Female gymnasts have a high rate of injury due to the repetitive nature and high forces of the sport. Repetition of movements is necessary to improve confidence and perfect execution. However, such repetition may also lead to overloading the Achilles tendon (AT) and increases potential of tendinopathy. Gymnasts generally perform the same skills repetitively using a preferred leg, e.g. always jumping off the right leg entering the vault. PURPOSE: To determine the differences in characteristics of NCAA Division I female gymnasts’ AT between preferred leg (PL) and non-preferred leg (NPL). We hypothesize differences in cross-sectional area (CSA), thickness, and echogenicity will exist in AT between PL and NPL. METHODS: Twenty-four Division I female gymnasts (age: 20.0 ± 1.6 yrs, weight: 57.8 ± 5.7 kg, height: 159.5 ± 6.2 cm, years of experience: 15.6 ± 1.7 y) self-selected their PL. Right and Left ATs were imaged using ultrasound to measure CSA, thickness, and echogenicity after a full gymnastics practice. RESULTS: There was no statistical significance between female Division I gymnasts’ PL and NPL ATs. Self-selected PL in female gymnasts does not lead to a significant difference in CSA (p=0.143), thickness (p=0.469), or echogenicity (p=0.848) of ATs in Division I collegiate gymnasts. CONCLUSION: Gymnasts’ PL characteristics are comparable with their NPL. In future studies we will investigate load and activity levels for gymnasts, as well as whether specialization or all-around gymnasts have different tendinopathic predictors.