National Rugby League athletes and tendon tap reflex assessment: A matched cohort clinical study

James Maurini; Paul Ohmsen; Greg Condon; Rodney Pope; Wayne Hing

doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1305-3

National Rugby League athletes and tendon tap reflex assessment: A matched cohort clinical study

James Maurini, Paul Ohmsen, Greg Condon, Rodney Pope, Wayne Hing

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Limited research suggests elite athletes may differ from non-athletes in clinical tendon tap reflex responses.

METHODS: In this matched cohort study, 25 elite rugby league athletes were compared with 29 non-athletes to examine differences in tendon reflex responses. Relationships between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers were also examined. Biceps, triceps, patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes were clinically assessed.

RESULTS: Right and left reflexes were well correlated for each tendon (rS = 0.7-0.9). The elite rugby league athletes exhibited significantly weaker reflex responses than non-athletes in all four tendons (p < 0.005). Biceps reflexes demonstrated the largest difference and Achilles reflexes the smallest difference. Moderate negative correlations (rS = -0.3-0.6) were observed between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers.

CONCLUSIONS: Future research is required to further elucidate mechanisms resulting in the observed differences in tendon reflexes and to ensure clinical tendon tap examinations and findings can be interpreted appropriately in this athletic population.

Original language	English
Article number	454
Number of pages	8
Journal	BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1305-3
Publication status	Published - 4 Nov 2016

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National Rugby League athletes and tendon tap reflex assessmentFinal published version, 914 KBLicence: CC BY

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abstract = "BACKGROUND: Limited research suggests elite athletes may differ from non-athletes in clinical tendon tap reflex responses.METHODS: In this matched cohort study, 25 elite rugby league athletes were compared with 29 non-athletes to examine differences in tendon reflex responses. Relationships between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers were also examined. Biceps, triceps, patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes were clinically assessed.RESULTS: Right and left reflexes were well correlated for each tendon (rS = 0.7-0.9). The elite rugby league athletes exhibited significantly weaker reflex responses than non-athletes in all four tendons (p < 0.005). Biceps reflexes demonstrated the largest difference and Achilles reflexes the smallest difference. Moderate negative correlations (rS = -0.3-0.6) were observed between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers.CONCLUSIONS: Future research is required to further elucidate mechanisms resulting in the observed differences in tendon reflexes and to ensure clinical tendon tap examinations and findings can be interpreted appropriately in this athletic population.",

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AU - Condon, Greg

AU - Pope, Rodney

AU - Hing, Wayne

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N2 - BACKGROUND: Limited research suggests elite athletes may differ from non-athletes in clinical tendon tap reflex responses.METHODS: In this matched cohort study, 25 elite rugby league athletes were compared with 29 non-athletes to examine differences in tendon reflex responses. Relationships between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers were also examined. Biceps, triceps, patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes were clinically assessed.RESULTS: Right and left reflexes were well correlated for each tendon (rS = 0.7-0.9). The elite rugby league athletes exhibited significantly weaker reflex responses than non-athletes in all four tendons (p < 0.005). Biceps reflexes demonstrated the largest difference and Achilles reflexes the smallest difference. Moderate negative correlations (rS = -0.3-0.6) were observed between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers.CONCLUSIONS: Future research is required to further elucidate mechanisms resulting in the observed differences in tendon reflexes and to ensure clinical tendon tap examinations and findings can be interpreted appropriately in this athletic population.

AB - BACKGROUND: Limited research suggests elite athletes may differ from non-athletes in clinical tendon tap reflex responses.METHODS: In this matched cohort study, 25 elite rugby league athletes were compared with 29 non-athletes to examine differences in tendon reflex responses. Relationships between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers were also examined. Biceps, triceps, patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes were clinically assessed.RESULTS: Right and left reflexes were well correlated for each tendon (rS = 0.7-0.9). The elite rugby league athletes exhibited significantly weaker reflex responses than non-athletes in all four tendons (p < 0.005). Biceps reflexes demonstrated the largest difference and Achilles reflexes the smallest difference. Moderate negative correlations (rS = -0.3-0.6) were observed between reflex responses and lengths of players' careers.CONCLUSIONS: Future research is required to further elucidate mechanisms resulting in the observed differences in tendon reflexes and to ensure clinical tendon tap examinations and findings can be interpreted appropriately in this athletic population.

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National Rugby League athletes and tendon tap reflex assessment: A matched cohort clinical study

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