The Effect of Loading Speed and Intensity During Exercise on the Immediate Changes in Achilles Tendon Thickness and Stiffness: a Randomised Crossover Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 34
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Achilles tendon thickness
研究概览
简要总结
Aim: To assess the influence of loading speed and intensity during eccentric heel drop exercise on the immediate changes in Achilles tendon thickness and stiffness in healthy controls.
Intervention: Three eccentric heel drop exercise protocols, different in loading speed and/or loading intensity will be compared. Each participant will perform a single protocol per session in a random sequence at 1-week intervals.
Participants: a total of 34 healthy athletes will be included.
Outcome measure: tendon thickness and stiffness will be measured at baseline and immediately following intervention with ultrasound imaging (B-mode) and shear wave elastography, respectively.
Discussion: the study will determine whether an eccentric exercise intervention involving a low loading speed and high intensity could maximize the immediate reduction in thickness and associated increase in stiffness of the Achilles tendon compared with interventions involving a higher loading speed and lower intensity.
详细描述
Mechanical loading of the Achilles tendon during isolated eccentric contractions induces immediate changes in its structural properties. However, it is not known whether the loading speed and intensity has any impact on these changes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of loading speed and intensity during eccentric heel drop exercises on the immediate changes in Achilles tendon thickness and stiffness in healthy controls.
Each participant will perform eccentric heel-drops on their dominant leg with and a fully extended knee, and with additional 20% body weight (added via a weighted backpack). Participants will stand with the forefoot of the tested limb on the edge of a step, with the ankle maximally plantar flexed and with body weight centred on this limb. Eccentric loading occurs when the participant lowers the heel to a predetermined angle and speed (depending on the type of intensity and speed cfr infra). In order to return to baseline, the body mass will therefore be shifted to the non-dominant leg to raise the body. Visual feedback (monitor) will be in front of the subjects and the exercise parameters (velocity and ankle angle) will be guided by software guidelines (Ultium Motion).
Three protocols will be compared that differ in execution speed (namely a fast protocol; 1 Hz: 1 second per repetition versus a slow protocol; 0.33 Hz: 3 seconds per repetition) and loading intensity (namely heavy; exercise into maximal dorsiflexion versus light; exercise into neutral ankle position).
Protocol 1 (=Heavy x Slow): subjects perform eccentric heel drops from a maximal plantarflexion position to a maximal dorsiflexion position at a speed of 0.33 Hz, i.e. 3 seconds per movement cycle.
Protocol 2 (=Heavy x Fast): subjects perform eccentric heel drops from a maximal plantarflexion position to a maximal dorsiflexion position at a speed of 3 Hz, i.e. 1 seconds per movement cycle.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Crossover
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
The outcome assessor was blinded to the specific intervention (protocol type); due to the nature of the interventions, participants were aware of the exercise intervention they were performing each week. However, participants will not be informed of the hypothesis of the study nor will this be disclosed at any time in written materials or verbal interactions.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 55 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age 18 to 55 years
- •Participate in recreational or competitive sport (at least 1x/week)
排除标准
- •History of Achilles tendinopathy
- •Presence of rheumatological disease
- •Not able to complete an exercise programme
研究组 & 干预措施
Slow and heavy exercise therapy
Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into maximal dorsiflexion at slow speed.
干预措施: Slow and heavy exercise therapy (Other)
Slow and light exercise therapy
Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into neutral ankle position at slow speed.
干预措施: Slow and light exercise therapy (Other)
Fast and heavy exercise therapy
Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into maximal dorsiflexion at fast speed.
干预措施: Fast and heavy exercise therapy (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Achilles tendon thickness
时间窗: Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Tendon anteroposterior diameter will be assessed 20 mm proximal to the posterosuperior calcaneal border using ultrasound imaging. The Achilles tendon is scanned at rest with the subject in the prone position and the foot passively maintained in a neutral position.
Achilles tendon cross-sectional area
时间窗: Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Tendon cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon will be assessed 20 mm proximal to the posterosuperior calcaneal border using ultrasound imaging. The Achilles tendon is scanned at rest with the subject in the prone position and the foot passively maintained in a neutral position.
Achilles tendon stiffness
时间窗: Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Echogenicity of the Achilles tendon will be assessed 20 mm proximal to the posterosuperior calcaneal border using shear wave elastography. The Achilles tendon is scanned at rest with the subject in the prone position and the foot passively maintained in a 30° plantar flexion.
次要结局
未报告次要终点