MedTrace Logo

Eccentric Exercises Versus Heel Insole Lift for Achilles Tendinopathy in Football Players

NCT07360873 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 24

Last updated 2026-01-22

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury in football players and is associated with pain, stiffness, and reduced functional performance. Conservative treatment options such as eccentric calf muscle exercises and heel insole lifts are frequently used in rehabilitation; however, evidence comparing their effectiveness remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of eccentric calf muscle exercises and heel insole lifts on pain, ankle range of motion, and functional outcomes in male football players with Achilles tendinopathy. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. One group performed a structured eccentric calf muscle exercise program, while the other group used heel insole lifts during daily activities.

Outcomes related to pain intensity, functional ability, calf muscle performance, and ankle range of motion were assessed at baseline and after completion of a 12-week intervention period. The results of this study aim to support evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for the management of Achilles tendinopathy in football players.

Conditions

  • Achilles Tendinopathy (AT)

Interventions

OTHER

Eccentric Calf Muscle Exercises

Eccentric calf muscle exercises were performed according to Alfredson's protocol. Participants completed three sets of fifteen repetitions, twice daily, seven days per week for 12 weeks. Exercises were performed on a step with the knee extended and flexed to target the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Resistance was progressively increased as pain decreased.

DEVICE

Heel Insole Lift

Participants were provided with prefabricated heel insole lifts (approximately 12 mm) based on shoe size and instructed to wear them continuously in their regular footwear during daily activities for a 12-week period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Lahore Hospital (ULH)

    collaborator NETWORK

  • Adnan Hashim

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Adnan Hashim, DPT · Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-05
Primary Completion
2025-07-08
Completion
2025-08-12

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07360873 on ClinicalTrials.gov