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Not yet recruiting NCT07406516

Identification of Kinematic Variables Specific of Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes at Risk

No phase Interventional Patellar Tendinitis Jumper's Knee Musculoskeletal Injuries Knee Injuries

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: The intervention consists of a series of vertical jump tests captured using high-resolution cameras with markerless motion capture technology., The intervention consists of a series of vertical jump tests captured using high-resolution cameras with markerless motion capture technology at 6 months and 12 months.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Patellar Tendinitis, Jumper's Knee, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Knee Injuries. Basic parameters: 18 years — 45 years · Male.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
France
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Overview

This research aims to identify and monitor specific kinematic markers associated with patellar tendinopathy in athletes at risk. Using a markerless motion capture system, vertical jump tests will be analyzed to detect early biomechanical changes in the knees, hips, trunk, and ankles. By comparing injured participants, the study seeks to improve early diagnosis and personalized prevention strategies for patellar tendinopathy.

Detailed description

Patellar tendinopathy, also known as Jumper's knee, is the most common pathology in elite sports, with 30% of diagnoses occurring in volleyball. Among elite volleyball players, the prevalence of this overuse-related condition ranges between 40% and 50%, resulting in anterior knee pain during daily and recreational activities, which can lead to deficits in strength and sports performance. To date, investigator can determine whether a patient has had a history of tendinopathy through modifications in biomechanical jump-landing strategies. However, there is a lack of early biomechanical markers to identify the onset of patellar tendinopathy and thus prevent its chronic progression. A preventive strategy using markerless motion capture technology, providing quantitative and visual feedback of a 3D human body model, shows promise. Investigators hypothesize that jump-landing kinematic analysis using markerless technology could identify early kinematic markers specific to patellar tendinopathy, distinguishing affected individuals from a non-tendinopathy population. This could ultimately help identify motor strategies following the onset of patellar tendinopathy A prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort. After signing the consent form, participants will undergo a medical examination, including a clinical assessment, a SLDS test, a Doppler ultrasound of the patellar tendon, and evaluation using the VISA-PF and OSTRC-P scores. Following a standardized 10-minute warm-up, participants will perform vertical jump tests captured by high-resolution cameras, analyzed using markerless motion capture technology. These assessments will be conducted at inclusion and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Additional medical visits will occur if symptoms arise outside of testing.

Interventions

  • Diagnostic test The intervention consists of a series of vertical jump tests captured using high-resolution cameras with markerless motion capture technology.
    Participants will undergo clinical evaluations including the Single Leg Decline Squat (SLDS) test, VISA-PF, OSTRC-P questionnaires, and Doppler ultrasound of the patellar tendon. These assessments will take place at baseline (T0) and follow-up periods (M3, M6, M9, M12) to track the evolution of kinematic markers and clinical symptoms related to patellar tendinopathy.
  • Diagnostic test The intervention consists of a series of vertical jump tests captured using high-resolution cameras with markerless motion capture technology at 6 months and 12 months
    Participants will undergo clinical evaluations including the Single Leg Decline Squat (SLDS) test, VISA-PF, OSTRC-P questionnaires, and Doppler ultrasound of the patellar tendon. These assessments will take place at baseline (T0) and follow-up periods ( M6 et M12) to track the evolution of kinematic markers and clinical symptoms related to patellar tendinopathy.

Primary outcome measures

  • Variations of knee flexion angle at initial contact at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of knee flexion angle at initial contact at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
  • Variations of knee flexion angle at initial contact at 9 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the 6-month visit and the 9-month visit]
  • Variations of knee flexion angle at initial contact at 12 months [Time frame: Between the 9-month visit and the 12-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum knee flexion angle at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum knee flexion angle at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum knee flexion angle at 9 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the 6-month visit and the 9-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum knee flexion angle at 12 months [Time frame: Between the 9-month visit and the 12-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the knee between initial contact and maximum flexion angle at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the knee between initial contact and maximum flexion angle at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
  • Variations of the angle of flexion of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles at initial contact at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of the angle of flexion of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles at initial contact at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
  • Variations of the angle of flexion of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles at initial contact at 9 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the 6-month visit and the 9-month visit]
  • Variations of the angle of flexion of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles at initial contact at 12 months [Time frame: Between the 9-month visit and the 12-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum flexion angle of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles upon landing at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum flexion angle of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles upon landing at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum flexion angle of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles upon landing at 9 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the 6-month visit and the 9-month visit]
  • Variations of the maximum flexion angle of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles upon landing at 12 months [Time frame: Between the 9-month visit and the 12-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles between initial contact and maximum flexion angle upon landing at 3 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the initial visit and the 3-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles between initial contact and maximum flexion angle upon landing at 6 months [Time frame: Between the 3-month visit and the 6-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles between initial contact and maximum flexion angle upon landing at 9 months (only for patients in the patellar tendinopathy group) [Time frame: Between the 6-month visit and the 9-month visit]
  • Variations of the range of motion (ROM) of the trunk, hips, knees, and ankles between initial contact and maximum flexion angle upon landing at 12 months [Time frame: Between the 9-month visit and the 12-month visit]

Eligibility criteria

  • Subject aged between 18 and 45 years
  • Male subject
  • Regularly participating in physical activity involving jumping (a predisposing factor for patellar tendinopathy) twice a week for at least one year.
  • Participants affiliated with or covered by a social security scheme

SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR THE PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY GROUP

Patients with at least 2 of the following 3 criteria:

  • Modified Öhberg score ≥2 according to L Öhberg, H Alfredson (2002)
  • VISA-PF < 80/100 according to Kaux et al. (2016) and/or OSTRC P ≥ 6/100 according to Owoeye et al. (2018)
  • Single Leg Decline Squat (SLDS): VAS ≥ 1/10 with pain mapping at the patellar tendon; according to Coombes et al. (2020)

SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR THE HEALTHY GROUP

Patients with 0 or 1 of the following 3 criteria:

  • Modified Öhberg score ≥2 according to L Öhberg, H Alfredson (2002)
  • VISA-PF < 80/100 according to Kaux et al. (2016) and/or OSTRC P ≥ 6/100 according to Owoeye et al. (2018)
  • Single Leg Decline Squat (SLDS): VAS ≥ 1/10 with pain mapping at the patellar tendon; according to Coombes et al. (2020)

Non inclusion Criteria:

  • Significant medical and surgical history involving the lower limbs (e.g., ACL ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy, etc.)
  • Contraindications to participating in sports activities
  • Other pathologies involving the lower limbs (< 6 months), e.g., torn knee ligaments, ankle sprain, knee sprain, etc.
  • Participants who have not given their informed consent
  • Participants subject to legal protection measures (legal guardianship, conservatorship, curatorship)
  • Participants deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Non-randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Prevention

Study locations

France · 1 center
  • Sports Medicine and Traumatology LAPEYRONIE Hospital - Montpellier University Hospital — Montpellier

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07406516 · RECHMPL25_0117 · 2025-A01948-41

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗