Study reveals eccentric strengthening is best

By Scott Douglas

Achilles tendon injuries improve more when treated with eccentric strengthening than concentric strengthening, according to a study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

In the study, 32 men with achilles tendinopathy (what most people call achilles tendinitis) were divided into two groups. Both groups did an ambitious strengthening program for the achilles tendon – 50 minutes, three times a week, for eight weeks. The difference was in the type of exercise they did. Half of the men did concentric strengthening, in which the work is done while a muscle or tendon is shortening, such as when you do a biceps curl. The other half did eccentric strengthening, in which the load is applied as the muscle or tendon is lengthening.

Using several means of measurement, the researchers assessed the subjects' pain, balance, agility and ankle dorsiflexion endurance, or how long they could continue to move their foot so that their toes moved closer to their shin. After the eight weeks of strengthening, the eccentric-strengthening group had significantly greater functioning and less pain in their achilles than the concentric-strengthening group.

Like this article? Subscribe to Runner’s World and save up to A$35 on the retail price (delivered directly to your door) and receive a FREE pair of Brooks socks PLUS if you subscribe for two years you will also receive a FREE Runner’s World watch.

If you missed picking this issue up at newsstands you can purchase your Runner's World back issue here today!