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NCT Number: NCT06877741

Comparative Effects of Heavy Slow Resistance Training and Eccentric Overload Training in Runners

Patellar Tendinopathy (PT) also known as Jumper's knee, is characterized by multifaceted activity-related pathology causing anterior knee pain and patellar-tendon dysfunction. It most commonly affects athletic activities that involve jumping and running. Tendinopathy is most likely to be related to mechanical loading and overuse. Athletes suffer from insidious well-localized pain, typically as the athlete starts the activity. Conservative treatment is the first line of treatment in tendinopathy, however, there is no consensus regarding the best treatment. In acute conditions, relative rest rather than immobilization is preferred. The most popular non-operative treatment involves eccentric exercise (EE). It is commonly accepted that surgical treatment must be indicated in motivated patients if carefully followed conservative treatment (physical training, injections, ESWT) is unsuccessful after 3-6 months. In recent studies, isometric and heavy slow resistance (HSR) exercises have demonstrated potential for pain reduction and functional improvement in patellar tendinopathy.

A randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Coaching Center, Lahore. 18 Subjects will be randomized into two groups; Heavy slow resistance exercises plus eccentric exercises will be given to group A and exercises of 4 sets of 10-20 repetitions will be given. Group B will give Eccentric exercises in 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions. Pre-assessments will be taken through the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, a goniometer for range of motion, Lower extremity function assessment scale to evaluate lower limb functional impairments, and a Visa-P scale for patellar dysfunction. Assessment will be done at baseline and post 4 weeks of training. Data will be analyzed using SPSS software version 21. The normality of data will be checked, and tests will be applied according to the normality of the data, either parametric or non-parametric tests will be used (within a group or between two groups).

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Key information

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy Behavior Motor Activity Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Center

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

About this study

The objective of the study is to compare the effects of heavy slow resistance training and eccentric overload training on pain, range of motion, and lower extremity functions in runners with patellar tendinopathy.

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • anterior knee pain located on the inferior pole of the patella for at least 3 months while practicing sport;
  • age between 18 and 45 years old;
  • practicing any kind of sports at least 3 times a week
  • score less than 80 on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patellar questionnaire (VISA-p).

Exclusion criteria

  • Knee surgery within the previous 6 months;
  • Chronic joint diseases;
  • Corticosteroid injection in the patellar tendon within the previous 3 months;
  • Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or antibiotic medications within the previous 48 hours;
  • Any other concomitant treatment for PT

Treatment and study plan

Group A (Heavy Slow Resistance exercises)

Other

Pre - assessment will be taken. Heavy slow resistance exercises will be given to group A and exercises of 4 sets of 10-20 repetitions will be given

: Group B (Eccentric exercises)

Other

Sessions should be conducted 2 times per week, similar to Group A, in 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions. Exercises focus solely on eccentric loading, such as eccentric squats, eccentric leg presses, and step-down exercises.

Primary outcomes

  1. Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    This brief questionnaire assesses (i) symptoms, (ii) simple tests of function and (in') ability to play sport. Six of the eight questions are scored on a visual analogue scale from 0-10 with 10 representing optimal health. The maximal VISA score for an asymptomatic, fully performing individual is 100 points and the theoretical minimum is 0 points. We found the VISA scale to have excellent short-term test retest, and inter-tester reliability both, r>0.95 as well as good short-term stability (r=0.87).(14)

  2. NPRS

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    For the NPRS, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for all subjects is .76 (p < .0001). The ICC, however, is .90 (p < .0001)(15)

  3. Goniometer

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Goniometric measurements are used to quantify baseline limitations of motion, decide on appropriate therapeutic interventions, and document the effectiveness of these interventions

  4. LEFS

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a questionnaire containing 20 questions about a person's ability to perform everyday tasks. The LEFS can be used by clinicians as a measure of patients' initial function, ongoing progress and outcome, as well as to set functional goals. Internal consistency is α=.96 (N=107). Test-retest reliability estimates were R=.86 (95% lower limit CI=.80) for the entire sample (n=98) and R=.94 (95% lower limit CI=.89) for the subset of patients with more chronic conditions (n=31)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Heavy Slow Resistance Training and Eccentric Overload Training on Pain, Range of Motion, and Lower Extremity Functions in Runners With Patellar Tendinopathy

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 14, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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