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Achilles tendon Loading Programme
12-Week Eccentric Loading Program
A study on the effect of heavy load eccentric calf muscle training in recreational athletes with a long duration of symptoms and a diagnosis of chronic Achilles tendinosis (degenerative changes) by Alfredson et al. [2] suggest the following 12-week programme.
Exercise is a key component of the rehabilitation programme to aid the return to function and activity. In order to achieve the best recovery possible, it is important, that after a period of rest, focus on tendon loading is considered. How the programme is implemented will depend on an individual’s response to pain and the extent of degenerative changes that have occurred. The following programme looks at one such loading programme. It is by no means a ‘one size fits all’ approach but to be used as an example. We recommend that you get professional advice before starting such a programme
Patient status week at consultation: Achilles tendon pain – no running activities. Reduced calf muscle strength on the injured side compared to the non-injured side.
Training Schedule
All exercises were 7 days per week. Patients were told to continue to exercise with pain unless it became disabling.
Patients were allowed to jog during their 12‐week rehabilitation so long as it caused only mild discomfort.
Exercises are performed twice a day with the knee extended and then repeated with the knee flexed:
3 x 15 repetitions twice per day with extended knee
3 x 15 repetitions twice per day with a flexed knee.
This is written as an example rather than a recommended approach for all tendinopathy. We recommend that you get professional advice before starting such a programme.
