Research article - (2012)11, 136 - 140
Comparison of Pathway and Center of Gravity of the Calcaneus on Non-Involved and Involved Sides According to Eccentric and Concentric Strengthening in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy
JaeHo Yu1, GyuChang Lee2,
1Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Changwon-si, Republic of Korea

GyuChang Lee
✉ Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungnam University, Changwon-si, Republic of Korea
Email: leegc76@kyungnam.ac.kr
Received: 18-11-2011 -- Accepted: 25-01-2012
Published (online): 01-03-2012

ABSTRACT

This study compares the changes in pathway and center of gravity (COG) on the calcaneus of non-involved and involved sides according to eccentric and concentric strengthening in patients with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy. The goal was to define the biomechanical changes according to eccentric strengthening for the development of clinical guidelines. Eighteen patients with Achilles tendinopathy were recruited at the K Rehabilitation Hospital in Seoul. The subjects were instructed to perform 5 sessions of concentric strengthening. The calcaneal pathway was measured using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analyzer, and COG was measured by a force plate. Subsequently, eccentric strengthening was implemented, and identical variables were measured. Concentric and eccentric strengthening was carried out on both the involved and non-involved sides. There was no significant difference in the calcaneal pathway in patients with Achilles tendinopathy during concentric and eccentric strengthening. However, during eccentric strengthening, the calcaneal pathway significantly increased on the involved side compared to the non-involved side for all variables excluding the z-axis. COG significantly decreased on the involved side when compared to the non-involved side in patients with Achilles tendinopathy during eccentric and concentric strengthening. During concentric strengthening, all variables of the COG significantly increased on the involved side compared to the non-involved side. Compared with eccentric strengthening, concentric strengthening decreased the stability of ankle joints and increased the movement distance of the calcaneus in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Furthermore, eccentric strengthening was verified to be an effective exercise method for prevention of Achilles tendinopathy through the reduction of forward and backward path length of foot pressure. The regular application of eccentric strengthening was found to be effective in the secondary prevention of Achilles tendinopathy in a clinical setting.

Key words: Achilles tendinopathy, concentric, eccentric, motion analyzer, center of gravity, foot pressure.

Key Points
  • Compared with eccentric strengthening, concentric strengthening decreased the stability of ankle joints, increasing movement of the calcaneus in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.
  • Eccentric strengthening was shown to be an effective exercise method for preventing Achilles tendinopathy through the reduction of forward and backward path length of foot pressure.
  • It was verified that regular application of eccentric strengthening is effective in secondary prevention of Achilles tendinopathy in the clinical setting.








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