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Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

Achilles tendon thickness
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.
Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Achilles tendon cross-sectional area
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.
Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Achilles tendon stiffness
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.
Baseline and immediately following each protocol

Study Arms (3)

Slow and heavy exercise therapy

OTHER

Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into maximal dorsiflexion at slow speed.

Other: Slow and heavy exercise therapy

Slow and light exercise therapy

OTHER

Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into neutral ankle position at slow speed.

Other: Slow and light exercise therapy

Fast and heavy exercise therapy

OTHER

Participants perform eccentric heel drop exercises into maximal dorsiflexion at fast speed.

Interventions

Slow and heavy exercise therapyOther

6 sets of 10 single leg isolated eccentric heel drops into maximal dorsiflexion at an exercise speed of 0.33 Hz, with 1-min rest period between each set.

Slow and heavy exercise therapy

Slow and light exercise therapyOther

6 sets of 10 single leg isolated eccentric heel drops into neutral ankle position at an exercise speed of 0.33 Hz, with 1-min rest period between each set.

Related Publications (1)

Pringels L, Pieters D, VAN DEN Berghe S, Witvrouw E, Burssens A, Vanden Bossche L, Wezenbeek E. Loading Speed and Intensity in Eccentric Calf Training Impact Acute Changes in Achilles Tendon Thickness and Stiffness: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 May 1;57(5):895-903. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003638. Epub 2024 Dec 30.

PMID: 39787521DERIVED

Study Design

Study Type

interventional

Phase

not applicable

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

SINGLE

Who Masked

OUTCOMES ASSESSOR

Masking Details

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.

Purpose

TREATMENT

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Model Details: Repeated measure design

Sponsor Type

OTHER

Responsible Party

SPONSOR

The Effect of Loading Speed and Intensity During Exercise on the Immediate Structural Changes in the Achilles Tendon

Brief Summary

Registry Overview

Trial Relationships

Study Timeline

First Submitted

Study Start

First Posted

Primary Completion

Study Completion

Conditions

Keywords

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

Study Arms (3)

Slow and heavy exercise therapy

Slow and light exercise therapy

Fast and heavy exercise therapy

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if:

You may not qualify if:

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Related Publications (1)

Study Officials

Enrollment

Study Design

Study Record Dates

Source record

Locations

Brief Summary

Registry Overview

Trial Relationships

Related Scientific Literature

Study Timeline

First Submitted

Study Start

First Posted

Primary Completion

Study Completion

Conditions

Keywords

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

Study Arms (3)

Slow and heavy exercise therapy

Slow and light exercise therapy

Fast and heavy exercise therapy

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if:

You may not qualify if:

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Related Publications (1)

Study Officials

Enrollment

Study Design

Study Record Dates

Source record

Locations