Patellar tendinopathy is a common injury among athletes which can greatly impact their career and normal daily functions. The treatment for this condition can be frustrating as rest may alleviate symptoms, but without proper rehabilitation, the discomfort will reappear with activity or sport. Studies have been performed to conclude the best measures to use for a competent and productive rehab. Examination has been implemented with this injury that by strengthening the patellar ligament eccentrically provides relief. Therefore, this study compares eccentric versus concentric strengthening exercises to determine which is the most efficient with maintaining decreased symptoms via both short and long term effects.
This study utilized 15 patients whom were …show more content…
Both groups utilized a 25 degree decline board while performing a slight, single leg squat on the limb that had the patellar tendinopathy. The eccentric subjects started in a standing position and performed a slow movement of knee flexion to 70 degrees. To return to standing, the arms or the other leg was utilized in order to avoid concentric contraction. The concentric subjects started with the knee is 70 degrees flexion and slowly straightened to full extension. If the other leg was injured, the patients were instructed to use arms to return back to starting position. Otherwise, the patients were allowed to use their uninjured leg to place knee back into flexion in order to avoid eccentric contraction. The patients were instructed to follow a consistent program of three sets of 15 repetitions, twice a day, 7 days a week for 12 weeks. Subjects were educated that discomfort was to be expected and to increase the load once the pain decreased during the exercise. The subjects used the visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate their levels of pain throughout the treatment where 0 ranked as no pain to 100 marked as severe pain. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) functional questionnaire was also