Sonographic Findings and Body Composition Analysis in Division I Female Volleyball Athletes: A Novel Pilot Study

Nathan J. Savage; Troy Purdom; Chris Wendt

doi:10.15621/ijphy/2024/v11i4/1522

Authors

Nathan J. Savage Department of Physical Therapy, Winston- Salem State University, 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, 336 F.L. Atkins Building Winston-Salem, NC 27110. e-Mail: savagenj@wssu.edu
Troy Purdom North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA.
Chris Wendt Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15621/ijphy/2024/v11i4/1522

Keywords:

body composition; tendinopathy; ultrasonography; volleyball.

Abstract

Background: Using ultrasound imaging, evaluate sonographic findings in the upper and lower extremities across the competitive season in Division I female collegiate volleyball athletes. Second, evaluate association between sonographic tendon thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements, and body composition variables.
Methods: Prospective observational study with repeated sonographic findings and body composition measurements in 16 female volleyball athletes at pre and postseason.
Results: Sonographic tendon and bony abnormalities were most prevalent in the knees and ankles pre and postseason. Chi-Square revealed significant differences across the competitive season in prevalence of left Achilles tendon pathology (x²=3.5, P=.060), pathology in either Achilles tendon (x²=4.1, P=.044), and tendon abnormalities in ≥4 body regions (x²=6.6, P=.010). MANOVA revealed significant differences with large effect sizes across the competitive season in right Achilles tendon CSA (P=.020, x²=.17), right plantar fascia thickness (P=.069, x²=.11), combined right lower extremity measurements (P=.072, x²=.11), combined left lower extremity measurements (P=.057, x²=.12), combined bilateral lower extremity measurements (P=.054, x²=.12), and combined bilateral upper extremity measurements (P=.070, x²=.11). Significant moderate to large correlations found between Achilles tendon CSA and body composition variables at pre and postseason (ranging from -.51 to .79).
Conclusions: This pilot investigation provides novel data and insights into the effects of competitive season on sonographic findings in the upper and lower extremities in Division I female volleyball athletes and an association between sonographic tendon measurements and body composition variables. Findings suggest that monitoring tendon health across competitive seasons may be helpful in informing injury prevention and training programs for collegiate athletes.