Effects of Resistance Training on Patellar Tendon Properties in People With Patellar Tendinoapthy

Chronic Effects of Eccentric Training and Heavy-Slow Resistance Training on the Structural, Morphological, Mechanical, and Functional Properties of Muscle and Tendon in Participants With Patellar Tendinopathy

This study aims to investigate the effects of two different resistance training interventions on the structural, morphological, mechanical, and functional properties of the thigh muscles (in particular the quadriceps femoris) and the patellar tendon, in participants with current patellar tendinopathy.

Patellar tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal injury among physically active people and athletes, particularly those who play sports that involve high jumps, such as volleyball and basketball. This condition is associated with alterations in the intrinsic properties of the muscle (e.g., cross-sectional area, muscle length) and the patellar tendon (e.g., stiffness, thickness), along with impairments in sports performance (e.g., altered jump height) and tendon pain.

The current gold-standard treatment for tendinopathies is composed mainly of eccentric training, which overall shows a good percentage of remission of the symptoms, but on the other hand, a high percentage of recurrence of said symptoms.

The objectives are to find out if a specific and controlled eccentric training and heavy-slow resistance training, which literature has shown to be a friendly and closer to daily-life movement alternative for management of patellar tendinopathy. Through the assessment of several muscle, tendon, and performance parameters, our study aims to investigate if individually targeted training variables on both training interventions show a better improvement in the intrinsic properties of the anatomical structures, as well as functional and performance parameters like pain level, strength, jump height, etc.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 and 50 years of age
• Pain at the inferior pole of the patella, longer than 3 months
• Active lifestyle (sport/exercise minimum 3 times per week)
• No previous injuries or surgeries on the affected leg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Corticoid injections in the last 6 months
• Current intake of pain or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Additional tendinopathy treatments in the last 6 months (i.e., physical therapy, shock-wave therapy, drug interventions, etc.)
• Neuromuscular or cardiovascular associated diseases or conditions