Effect of Isometric and Eccentric Exercises on Pain and Jump Performance in Indian Male Volleyball Players with Patellar Tendinopathy

Abstract

Aim: To find out which exercise, isometric or eccentric is the best intervention to reduce the patellar tendon pain and maximise the jump performance. Materials and Methods: The participants were screened and selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The demographic data, pain and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella (VISA-P) scale were measured pre-intervention and post-intervention. A total of 25 players of mean age 17.00±16.54 years, mean weight 67.76±60.84 kg and 89.63±17.67 cm mean height were taken through the single-blinded randomised sampling and were allocated into two groups Group A (n=12) of isometric exercise intervention and Group B (n=13) of Eccentric (EC) exercise intervention for 12 weeks. Results: There was a statistically non significant difference seen for the demographic values between the groups (p>0.05) for all the variables. There was a statistically highly significant difference seen for the values between the groups (p<0.01) for post VISA-P with higher values in EC group. There was a statistically non significant difference seen for the values between the groups (p>0.05) for pre VISA-P. Conclusion: In this trial, among volleyball players with chronic patellar tendinopathy, treatment with eccentric exercise is superior to isometric. Coaches, sport scientists and volleyball players may use the eccentric exercise as a training protocol to improve the game skills. This could aid coaches in planning and controlling training, making appropriate performance enhancement decisions, and avoiding hand injuries.