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Biomechanical properties of isolated fascicles of the Iliopsoas and Achilles tendons in African American and Caucasian men.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To investigate biomechanical properties of the Iliopsoas and Achilles tendons in young African American (AA) and Caucasian (CC) men, and attempt to clarify whether the difference in Achilles tendon ruptures between AA and CC can be explained by differences in material properties.
METHODS
Tissue from 12 young males (AA, n=6; CC, n=6) was obtained from routine forensic autopsies. Iliopsoas and Achilles tendon samples were obtained from cadavers that were age, height and weight matched. Tendon collagen fascicles were tested micromechanically in a Deben mechanical testing rig.
RESULTS
Peak failure stress in Iliopsoas tendon fascicles was considerably higher (p<0.05) in AA (22.4 ± 7.2MPa) than CC (6.8 ± 2.1MPa) whereas peak strain did not differ (AA: 19.7 ± 5.2%, CC: 18.3 ± 3.5%). Likewise, Young's modulus was greater (p<0.05) in AA (165.3 ± 67.3MPa) than CC (63.6 ± 23.6MPa). In contrast, peak failure stress in Achilles tendon fascicles was similar (p>0.1) in AA (21.9 ± 9.9MPa) and CC (28.1 ± 9.8MPa), and peak strain did not differ (p>0.1) between AA (16.3 ± 3.5%) and CC (13.8 ± 4.4%). Young's modulus was slightly greater in CC (316.8 ± 110MPa) than AA (222.8 ± 84.6MPa), yet not significantly (p>0.1).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that Iliopsoas tendon fascicles are stronger in young AA compared to CC males, which is suggested to reflect differences in muscle mass and force generating capacity. This could not be confirmed in Achilles tendon fascicles.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Hanson P, Aagaard P, Magnusson SP

    Institution

    Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Source

    Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft 194:5 2012 Sep pg 457-60

    MeSH

    Achilles Tendon
    Adult
    African Continental Ancestry Group
    Anatomy, Cross-Sectional
    Biomechanics
    Cadaver
    Collagen
    Elastic Modulus
    European Continental Ancestry Group
    Female
    Humans
    Male
    Psoas Muscles
    Rupture
    Tendon Injuries
    Tendons
    Tensile Strength
    Young Adult

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22583513