Evidence-Based High-Loading Tendon Exercise for 12 Weeks Leads to Increased Tendon Stiffness and Cross-Sectional Area in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Goran Radovanović, Sebastian Bohm, Kim Kristin Peper, Adamantios Arampatzis, Kirsten Legerlotz

Assuming that the mechanisms inducing adaptation in healthy tendons yield similar responses in tendinopathic tendons, we hypothesized that a high-loading exercise protocol that increases tendon stiffness and cross-sectional area in male healthy Achilles tendons may also induce comparable beneficial adaptations in male tendinopathic Achilles tendons in addition to improving pain and function. We investigated the effectiveness of high-loading exercise in Achilles tendinopathy in terms of inducing mechanical (tendon stiffness, maximum strain), material (Young's modulus), morphological (tendon cross-sectional area (CSA)), maximum voluntary isometric plantar flexor strength (MVC) as well as clinical adaptations (Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score and pain (numerical rating scale (NRS))) as the primary outcomes. As secondary outcomes, drop (DJ) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) height and intratendinous vascularity were assessed. We conducted a controlled clinical trial with a 3-month intervention phase. Eligibility criteria were assessed by researchers and medical doctors. Inclusion criteria were male sex, aged between 20 and 55 years, chronic Achilles tendinopathy confirmed by a medical doctor via ultrasound-assisted assessment, and a severity level of less than 80 points on the VISA-A score. Thirty-nine patients were assigned by sequential allocation to one of three parallel arms: a high-loading intervention (training at ~ 90% of the MVC) (n = 15), eccentric exercise (according to the Alfredson protocol) as the standard therapy (n = 15) and passive therapy (n = 14). Parameters were assessed pre- and-post-intervention. Data analysis was blinded. Primary outcomes: Plantar flexor MVC, tendon stiffness, mean CSA and maximum tendon strain improved only in the high-loading intervention group by 7.2 ± 9.9% (p = 0.045), 20.1 ± 20.5% (p = 0.049), 8.98 ± 5.8% (p < 0.001) and -12.4 ± 10.3% (p = 0.001), respectively. Stiffness decreased in the passive therapy group (-7.7 ± 21.2%; p = 0.042). There was no change in Young's modulus in either group (p > 0.05). The VISA-A score increased in all groups on average by 19.8 ± 15.3 points (p < 0.001), while pain (NRS) dropped by -0.55 ± 0.9 points (p < 0.001). CMJ height decreased for all groups (-0.63 ± 4.07 cm; p = 0.005). There was no change in DJ height and vascularity (p > 0.05) in either group. Despite an overall clinical improvement, it was exclusively the high-loading intervention that induced significant mechanical and morphological adaptations of the plantar flexor muscle-tendon unit. This might contribute to protecting the tendon from strain-induced injury. Thus, we recommend the high-loading intervention as an effective (alternative) therapeutic protocol in Achilles tendinopathy rehabilitation management in males. NCT02732782.