PT Inquest Episode 92: Isometrics vs Isotonics for Patellar Tendon Pain

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Early evidence suggests that heavy load isometrics may be effective for acute reduction in patellar tendon pain in a laboratory setting, but is it effective for managing patellar tendon pain for athletes during their competitive season? How does it compare to isotonics (heavy slow resistance)? Does the type of contraction matter more than the total time that the heavy load is applied? Is Erik too tired to think straight?

Do isometric and isotonic exercise programs reduce pain in athletes with patellar tendinopathy in-season? A randomised clinical trial.
van Ark M, Cook JL, Docking SI, Zwerver J, Gaida JE, van den Akker-Scheek I, Rio E.
J Sci Med Sport. 2016 Sep;19(9):702-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2015.11.006. Epub 2015 Dec 7.

Open Access at the time of release

Check out Peter Malliaras’ blog post on this paper!

Due to copyright laws, unless the article is open source we cannot legally post the PDF on the website for the world to download at will. That said, if you are having difficulty obtaining an article, contact us.

Music for PT Inquest:
“The Science of Selling Yourself Short” by Less Than Jake
Used by Permission

Photo credit: Property of Patrick Corrigan at University of Delaware

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