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Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to determine which method of tendon rehabilitation - the "eccentric ankle drop" exercise or the universal gym "concentric plantarflexion/dorsiflexion" exercise - produced a more effective result in terms of recovery in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendonitis. Seventeen subjects with chronic Achilles tendonitis were studied. They were selected on the basis that they had a history of athletic participation, and have had the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis greater than three weeks. Subjects were assigned to either of two groups: training using the "eccentric ankle drop" exercise or training using the "concentric plantarflexion/ dorsiflexion" exercise. Subjects were clinically examined by a physician and referred to the study, then placed on a twelve week exercise program. They were examined and tested at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Testing included the following variables: average and peak torque measured on the KIN/COM Isokinetic Dynamometer at 3 0 and 50 degrees per second, and for plantarflexor concentric and eccentric muscle contractions, a subjective evaluation of pain and return to activity rated on a scale from 1 to 10. The results showed the "eccentric ankle drop" exercise did not significantly increase in average or peak torque values at either velocity of 3 0 or 50 degrees per second more so than the "concentric plantarflexion/dorsiflexion" exercise. However, the eccentric group did demonstrate larger gains in both torque value compared to the concentric group. The plantarflexor torque values on the whole increased in a linear fashion at both velocities for both groups similarly, as indicated by the highly significant trend analysis (p