Date of Award
Summer 8-22-2026
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Organizational Unit
Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
First Advisor
Michelle B. Sabick
Second Advisor
Julia Dunn
Third Advisor
Anna A. Sher
Fourth Advisor
Casey A. Myers
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Keywords
Achilles tendon, Female athletes, Menstrual cycle, Tendon morphology, Ultrasound, Women's gymnastics
Abstract
This longitudinal study evaluated Achilles tendon (AT) thickness in 22 NCAA Division I (DI) female gymnasts across three consecutive seasons in relation to menstruation, birth control use, pain, limb dominance, training week, and year of collegiate competition. Weekly ultrasound and athlete survey data were analyzed using mixed-effects models for absolute AT thickness and change in thickness from baseline measurements. Associations were primarily characterized by interactions rather than uniform effects of individual predictors. A Pain × Limb Dominance × Week × Year interaction was associated with both thickness outcomes across season-specific and combined analyses, with relationship directions varying by limb, season timing, and collegiate experience. Menstruation × Birth Control Use × Pain and Menstruation × Week interactions further demonstrated context-dependent hormonal relationships. Pain × Year and Week × Year also recurred across models. Findings differed substantially between seasons, emphasizing the value of longitudinal, multi-season assessment. No AT injuries occurred; therefore, these findings characterize tendon variability in an injury-free cohort but cannot identify injury-predictive patterns.
Copyright Date
8-2026
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Mattie Jane Hyde
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
127 pgs
File Size
1.9 MB
Recommended Citation
Hyde, Mattie Jane, "A Longitudinal Study of Achilles Tendon Adaptation in NCAA Division I Female Gymnasts: Associations with Menstrual Status, Birth Control Use, Pain, Limb Dominance, and Training Exposure" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2794.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2794
Included in
Biological Engineering Commons, Biomechanics and Biotransport Commons, Sports Studies Commons, Statistics and Probability Commons