| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2025/09/094434 [Registered on: 09/09/2025] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
09/09/2025 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Randomized Factorial Trial |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Heavy slow resistance training vs Sensorimotor training for Achilles tendinopathy among Runners |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Effectiveness of Heavy slow resistance training versus Sensorimotor training on pain, functional ability and performance for Achilles tendinopathy among Runners |
| Trial Acronym |
NIL |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Divyashree M |
| Designation |
PG Student |
| Affiliation |
Saveetha Colllege Of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Kancheepuram TAMIL NADU 6012501 India |
| Phone |
9080606348 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
divyashreemagendran2001@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Vinodh Kumar R |
| Designation |
Professor |
| Affiliation |
Saveetha Colllege Of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Kancheepuram TAMIL NADU 6012501 India |
| Phone |
8760563032 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
vinodhkumar.scpt@saveetha.com |
|
Details of Contact Person Public Query
|
| Name |
Vinodh Kumar R |
| Designation |
Professor |
| Affiliation |
Saveetha Colllege Of Physiotherapy |
| Address |
A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
TAMIL NADU 6012501 India |
| Phone |
8760563032 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
vinodhkumar.scpt@saveetha.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
| A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram- 602105, Tamil Nadu |
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Divyashree M |
| Address |
A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram - 602105, Tamil Nadu |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [Self] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Dr Divyashree M |
Saveetha College of Physiotherapy |
A5 5th Floor Health Science block, Saveetha college of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Kanchipuram- 602105, Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram TAMIL NADU |
9080606348
divyashreemagendran2001@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| Institutional Scientific Review Board |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Healthy Human Volunteers |
Runners with achilles tendinopathy |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Intervention |
Heavy slow resistance training |
The exercises included,
1.Standing calf raises (double and single leg)
2.Seated calf raises
3.Leg press with plantar flexion
(3 seconds concentric – 3 seconds eccentric)
progressive loading scheme,
Weeks 1–2: 3 sets of 15 reps at moderate load.
Weeks 3–4: 3 sets of 12 reps at moderate-high load.
Weeks 5–6: 4 sets of 10 reps at higher load.
Weeks 7–8: 4 sets of 8 reps at near-maximal load.
|
| Comparator Agent |
Sensorimotor Training (SMT) Group |
This group will undergo to perform neuromuscular and proprioception-focused exercisesand Training components included:
Weeks 1–2:
Single-leg stance with eye open closed
Tandem walking on a line
Heel to toe walking
Weeks 3–4:
Single leg squats
Balance board training (single-leg)
Weeks 5–6:
Hopping in place (bilateral and unilateral)
Star excursion balance tasks
Weeks 7-8:
Dynamic single leg stance
Multidirectional hopping
Agility ladder footwork drills
|
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
25.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
1. Runners (regular practice 5 days per week)
2. Pain in the achilles tendon region while during and after running or other physical activities
3. Diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy based on clinical assessment
4. Having pain between 3 to 6 in visual analog scale (VAS).
5. Ability to participate in exercise program
|
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
1. Runners (regular practice 5 days per week)
2. Pain in the achilles tendon region while during and after running or other physical activities
3. Diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy based on clinical assessment
4. Having pain between 3 to 6 in visual analog scale (VAS).
5. Ability to participate in exercise program
|
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Coin toss, Lottery, toss of dice, shuffling cards etc |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Participant, Investigator, Outcome Assessor and Date-entry Operator Blinded |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| Visual Analog Scale |
8 weeks |
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire |
8 weeks |
| single-leg hop test |
8 weeks |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="50" Sample Size from India="50"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
20/09/2025 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="0" Months="2" Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Applicable |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
Achilles
tendinopathy is a common overuse injury among runners, characterized by pain,
stiffness, and impaired function of the Achilles tendon. It is often caused by
repetitive mechanical loading, poor biomechanics, or inadequate recovery
periods. The
condition
significantly affects athletic performance and may lead to long-term functional
limitations if not managed effectively. Traditionally, eccentric loading
protocols have been the mainstay of treatment, but recent studies have shown
promising results with Heavy Slow Resistance (HSR) training, which focuses on
controlled, high-load exercises to promote tendon remodeling and strength. On
the other hand, Sensorimotor training, which includes balance and
proprioception-based exercises, aims to restore neuromuscular control and joint
stability, especially in athletes who require fine motor coordination and
dynamic balance.
While both
interventions have demonstrated individual benefits in Achilles tendinopathy
management, there is limited comparative evidence on their relative
effectiveness in improving pain, functional ability, and athletic performance
specifically in runners. Understanding the comparative outcomes of these two
approaches is critical for clinicians, coaches, and rehabilitation
professionals seeking optimal treatment strategies tailored to running
populations.
Therefore, this
study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of heavy slow resistance
training and sensorimotor training on reducing pain, enhancing functional
ability, and improving performance in runners with Achilles tendinopathy. |