protocolSection identificationModule nctId: NCT06318728, orgStudyIdInfo id: CAEE - 70162723.0.0000.8093, briefTitle: Musculotendinous Adaptations in High and Low- Performance Triathletes, acronym: MAT, statusModule overallStatus: NOT_YET_RECRUITING, startDateStruct date: 2024-04-01, primaryCompletionDateStruct date: 2024-07-16, completionDateStruct date: 2024-10-04, studyFirstPostDateStruct date: 2024-03-19, lastUpdatePostDateStruct date: 2024-03-19, sponsorCollaboratorsModule leadSponsor name: University of Brasilia, class: OTHER, descriptionModule briefSummary: This study aims to investigate the musculotendinous adaptations in the Achilles tendon and the muscles composing the triceps surae induced by triathlon training and competitions in high-performance and low-performance athletes. Twenty high-performance triathletes, twenty low-performance triathletes, and twenty physically active and healthy individuals of both genders will be recruited to constitute the research groups. Ultrasonography will be employed as the assessment method for the structures of the Achilles tendon and the muscular architecture of the triceps surae. The quality and portability of ultrasonography, coupled with its real-time information capabilities, make it the appropriate choice for this evaluation. The VISA-A scale (Victorian Institute of Sport Achilles Assessment) will be used to measure pain and function of the Achilles tendon. The reliability of ultrasonography measures will be obtained by evaluating images of individuals using the intraclass correlation coefficient, allowing for the analysis of result reproducibility. Data analysis will involve comparisons among the high-performance, low-performance, and physically active groups, aiming to identify differences in musculotendinous adaptations related to performance and injury predisposition. Structural changes occurring in these structures and their potential association with sports performance and/or injury predisposition will be explored. Overall, this study utilizes a comparative cross-sectional research design, where different groups are assessed regarding musculotendinous adaptations in the Achilles tendon and triceps surae through ultrasound-derived measures. The use of the VISA-A scale and the assessment of measure reliability will provide additional data on pain, function, and result reproducibility., conditionsModule conditions: Athletes, designModule studyType: OBSERVATIONAL, designInfo observationalModel: COHORT, timePerspective: PROSPECTIVE, enrollmentInfo count: 60, type: ESTIMATED, armsInterventionsModule, outcomesModule primaryOutcomes measure: Morphological Properties: Tendon Length (TL)., primaryOutcomes measure: Evaluation of Achilles Tendon Shape (fusiform or parallel), primaryOutcomes measure: Echogenicity of the Tendon (homogeneous and heterogeneous areas), primaryOutcomes measure: Mechanical properties of the Achilles Tendon: Force, primaryOutcomes measure: Mechanical properties of the Achilles Tendon: Stress, primaryOutcomes measure: Mechanical properties of the Achilles Tendon: Strain, primaryOutcomes measure: Material Properties of the Achilles Tendon: Elastic Modulus, primaryOutcomes measure: Muscle Thickness, primaryOutcomes measure: Muscle Properties: Pennation Angle (PA), primaryOutcomes measure: Muscle Properties: Fascicle Length (FL), primaryOutcomes measure: Muscle Echogenicity, primaryOutcomes measure: Assessment of Muscle Electrical Activation, primaryOutcomes measure: Muscle Torque Evaluation, primaryOutcomes measure: Evaluation of Muscle and Achilles Tendon Stiffness through 2D Shear Wave Elastography (SWE):, secondaryOutcomes measure: Ankle pain and function, eligibilityModule sex: ALL, minimumAge: 17 Years, maximumAge: 52 Years, stdAges: CHILD, stdAges: ADULT, contactsLocationsModule, hasResults: False