Table 2

 Studies on the effect of eccentric training on patellar tendinopathy

Author and publication yearDesignInterventionExercise prescriptionComparisonTreatment period(weeks)Further follow-upNumber of patients included (tendons)Number in eccentric training groupPatientsMain outcome*Group difference
VAS, visual analogue scale; VISA, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment.
*VISA Score was designed specifically to quantify knee function in subjects with patellar tendinopathy.
Cannell et al 200118Randomised clinical trialEccentric drop squats3 sets of 20 drops once a day 5 days per weekLeg extension/curl (concentric training)12No1910Patients recruited from different sportsPain (VAS)No
Purdam et al 200419Non-randomised pilot studyEccentric training on a decline board3 sets of 15 repetitions 2 times dailyEccentric training on flat floor1215 months1717Patients recruited from a sports medicine clinicReturn to sport and VASYes
Stasinopoulos and Stasinopoulos 200420Randomised clinical trialEccentric training and stretching3 sets of 15 repetitions 3 days per week1 Pulsed ultrasound and 2 transverse friction43 months3010Recruited from a rehabilitation and rheumatology centrePatient satisfaction on pain in two categoriesYes
Young et al 200521Randomised clinical trialEccentric training on a decline board3 sets of 15 repetitions 2 times dailyEccentric training drop squats with flat heel on a step121 year1717Patients recruited from high-level volleyball, but intervention was off seasonVISA and VAS scoresNo
Visnes et al 200522Randomised clinical trialEccentric training on a decline board3 sets of 15 repetitions 2 times dailyRegular sports training;no special programme126 months2915Patients recruited from high-level volleyball, and intervention was during the seasonVISA scoreNo
Jonsson and Alfredson 200523Prospective randomised studyEccentric training on a decline board3 sets of 15 repetitions 2 times dailyConcentric training on a decline board1233 months15 (but 19 tendons)8 (10 tendons)Patients recruited from a sports clinic from different sportsPain (VAS) and VISA scoreYes
Bahr et al 20069Randomised clinical trialEccentric training on a decline board3 sets of 15 repetitions 2 times dailySurgical treatment1212 months35 (40 tendons)35 (40 tendons)Patients recruited from different sports but had severe problemsReturn to sport and VISA scoreNo