Publications by authors named "D Pieters"
Purpose: Eccentric calf training for Achilles tendinopathy shows variable success in athletes. Recent insights suggest a role for tendon fluid flow (exudation or redistribution) during exercise, which explains post-exercise reductions in thickness and increases in stiffness of the tendon. This fluid flow is thought to be beneficial as it may promote tendon remodeling, reduce intratendinous pressure, and alleviate pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * A study looked at how a 10-week NHE program affected the strength and stiffness of hamstring muscles in soccer players, using a control group for comparison.
- * Results showed that while the NHE significantly increased eccentric strength in the experimental group, it did not change the stiffness of the hamstring muscles, suggesting stiffness changes might not be the main reason the NHE prevents injuries.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and muscle strain injury in elite athletes.
Methods: A prospective cohort study in three Belgian professional male football teams was performed during the first half of the 2020-2021 season (June 2020-January 2021). Injury data were collected using established surveillance methods.
Return to play (RTP) criteria after hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) help clinicians in deciding whether an athlete is ready to safely resume previous sport activities. Today, functional and sport-specific training tests are the gold standard in the decision-making process. These criteria lead to an average RTP time between 11 and 25 days after a grade 1 or 2 HSI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute Effects of Warming Up on Achilles Tendon Blood Flow and Stiffness.
J Strength Cond Res
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how different warm-up exercises (running, plyometrics, eccentric heel drops, and static stretching) affect blood flow and stiffness in the Achilles tendon.
- It included 40 healthy participants and found that running and plyometrics significantly increased Achilles tendon blood flow and stiffness, while static stretching and eccentric exercises did not.
- The authors recommend incorporating high-intensity exercises like running and plyometrics into warm-up routines to better prepare the Achilles tendon for physical activity and reduce injury risk.