Clinical Outcomes, Structure, and Function Improve With Both Heavy and Moderate Loads in the Treatment of Patellar Tendinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Anne Sofie Agergaard*, Rene B. Svensson, Nikolaj M. Malmgaard-Clausen, Christian Couppé, Mikkel H. Hjortshoej, Simon Doessing, Michael Kjaer, S. Peter Magnusson

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

32 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Loading interventions have become a predominant treatment strategy for tendinopathy, and positive clinical outcomes and tendon tissue responses may depend on the exercise dose and load magnitude. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to investigate if the load magnitude influenced the effect of a 12-week loading intervention for patellar tendinopathy in the short term (12 weeks) and long term (52 weeks). We hypothesized that a greater load magnitude of 90% of 1 repetition maximum (RM) would yield a more positive clinical outcome, tendon structure, and tendon function compared with a lower load magnitude of 55% of 1 RM when the total exercise volume was kept equal in both groups. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 44 adult participants with chronic patellar tendinopathy were included and randomized to undergo moderate slow resistance (MSR group; 55% of 1 RM) or heavy slow resistance (HSR group; 90% of 1 RM). Function and symptoms (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella questionnaire [VISA-P]), tendon pain during activity (numeric rating scale [NRS]), and ultrasound findings (tendon vascularization and swelling) were assessed before the intervention, at 6 and 12 weeks during the intervention, and at 52 weeks from baseline. Tendon function (functional tests) and tendon structure (ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) were investigated before and after the intervention period. Results: The HSR and MSR interventions both yielded significant clinical improvements in the VISA-P score (mean ± SEM) (HSR: 0 weeks, 58.8 ± 4.3; 12 weeks, 70.5 ± 4.4; 52 weeks, 79.7 ± 4.6) (MSR: 0 weeks, 59.9 ± 2.5; 12 weeks, 72.5 ± 2.9; 52 weeks, 82.6 ± 2.5), NRS score for running, NRS score for squats, NRS score for preferred sport, single-leg decline squat, and patient satisfaction after 12 weeks, and these were maintained after 52 weeks. HSR loading was not superior to MSR loading for any of the measured clinical outcomes. Similarly, there were no differences in functional (strength and jumping ability) or structural (tendon thickness, power Doppler area, and cross-sectional area) improvements between the groups undergoing HSR and MSR loading. Conclusion: There was no superior effect of exercising with a high load magnitude (HSR) compared with a moderate load magnitude (MSR) for the clinical outcome, tendon structure, or tendon function in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy in the short term. Both HSR and MSR showed equally good, continued improvements in outcomes in the long term but did not reach normal values for healthy tendons. Registration: NCT03096067 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftAmerican Journal of Sports Medicine
Vol/bind49
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)982-993
Antal sider12
ISSN0363-5465
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2021

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: This work was supported by funding from Independent Research Fund Denmark, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences of the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Rheumatism Association, and the Danish Society of Sports Physical Therapy. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s).

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