IMPACT OF CONCENTRIC AND ECCENTRIC LOADING ON PAIN, RANGE OF MOTION AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH INSERTIONAL ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common condition that affects athletes and non- athletes alike, leading to significant pain, reduced range of motion, and impaired functional ability. Traditional treatments for IAT often include rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy, but recovery can be prolonged, and symptoms may persist or recur. There is growing interest in the use of exercise-based interventions, particularly concentric (muscle shortening) and eccentric (muscle lengthening) loading exercises, for managing IAT. However, the relative effectiveness of these two types of exercises in reducing pain, improving range of motion, and restoring functional ability in patients with IAT remains unclear. Understanding the impact of concentric versus eccentric loading is crucial for developing optimized rehabilitation protocols, which can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.

AIMThe aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of concentric and eccentric loading exercises on pain, range of motion, and functional ability in patients diagnosed with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

 OBJECTIVE 1.      To examine the impact of concentric loading exercises (on Achilles tendon) on pain, range of motion and functional ability in insertional Achilles tendinopathy.2.      To examine the impact of eccentric loading exercises (on Achilles tendon) on pain, range of motion and functional ability in insertional Achilles tendinopathy

3.      To compare the impact of concentric and eccentric loading (on Achilles tendon) on pain, range of motion and functional ability in insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

 HYPOTHESISNull hypothesis-

1.       Null Hypothesis (H01): There is no significant impact of concentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

2.       Null Hypothesis (H02): There is no significant impact of Eccentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

3.       Null Hypothesis (H03): There is no significant impact of Concentric loading and Eccentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Alternate Hypothesis-

1.      Alternative Hypothesis (H11): There is significant impact of concentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

2.      Alternative Hypothesis (H12): There is significant impact of Eccentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

3.      Alternative Hypothesis (H13): There is significant impact of Concentric loading and Eccentric loading exercises in pain, range of motion and functional ability in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy.