GUIDE
ARTICLES – abstractLigaments
in top
athletes pathology
Mădălina
Victoria Ovricenco
Sport
Club Dinamo Bucharest
Abstract
We
have analyzed the consequences of ligament's mechanical properties
(creep, tension-relaxation, hysteresis, sensitivity to strain rate
and strain/load frequency) and sensory-motor functions (kinesthesia,
proprioception and reflex activation/inhibition of muscles) in top
athletes activity. Exercises with moderate intensity and frequency
followed by sufficient rest and recovery results, over time, with
increase in the strength of the ligament, as well as in its number
and diameter of collagen fibers. Reduced physical activity or
immobilization are accompanied by degenerative changes with decrease
of collagen fiber's number and diameter, together with changes of the
ligament-bone junction. In top athletes, the impact of hysteresis is
manifested by gradually decreasing tension in the ligament,
development of joint laxity, reduced joint stability and increased
risk of injury. The development of a cumulative creep in the ligament
with training sessions which exceed in intensity or frequency the
ligament's recovery capacity, allow, at a certain moment,
micro-damages in the collagen fibers with an acute inflammation that
may become chronic, triggering, consequently, degeneration of the
ligament and joint instability. Ligamento-muscular reflexes may be
inhibitory or excitatory, as may be fit to preserve joint stability:
inhibiting muscles that destabilize the joint or increasing
antagonist co-activation to stabilize the joint.
Key
words:
ligaments,
joint stability, top athletes