Participants needed for study on the Achilles tendon

Researchers from UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science are currently running a study that focuses on the Achilles tendon and how it responds to training in the general population, using a novel ultrasound scanning system called Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC).

Based at the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH), the study is led by Dr Bhavesh Kumar.

Who can participate?

• To take part in the study, you should:
• Be studying at UCL
• Be aged 18+
• Have no previous or current history of Achilles tendon symptoms > 24 hours

What will it involve?

The first part of the study will involve a simple scan of your Achilles tendon and Patellar tendon. The second part of the study involves scanning after a 5km jog on an indoor treadmill and three follow-up scans over the course of a week.  Researchers would ask that participants avoid activities that involve running or repeated jumping during the course of the study if you choose to participate in the treadmill running. You may volunteer for the ultrasound scan alone if you wish.

The study is taking place between March and June 2015 and should take approximately 30 minutes per session. Light refreshments and hydration will be provided on the day. A full debrief and a copy of the final report will be made available on request.  Researchers will treat any information that you provide with the strictest confidence and you are free to withdraw from the study at any point.

Why is participation important?

It would help researchers a great deal if you were to take part. This research will help to better understand the tissue structure of the Achilles tendon and how it responds to training. In the long term, researchers aim to potentially help guide the design of training programmes and the management of Achilles tendinosis.

Contact

If you would like to take part in this study, please email Wing Chu: wing.chu.14@ucl.ac.uk.

This study has received ethical approval from the UCL Research Ethics Committee, ID Number: 6382/001.

Dr Wing Chu, MSc student, UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science