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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  
Name  Address 
NIL  NIL 
 
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  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
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.

 
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