Aim: To assess the influence of loading speed and intensity during eccentric heel drop exercise on the immediate changes in Achilles tendon thickness and stiffness in healthy controls. Intervention: Three eccentric heel drop exercise protocols, different in loading speed and/or loading intensity will be compared. Each participant will perform a single protocol per session in a random sequence at 1-week intervals. Participants: a total of 34 healthy athletes will be included. Outcome measure: tendon thickness and stiffness will be measured at baseline and immediately following intervention with ultrasound imaging (B-mode) and shear wave elastography, respectively. Discussion: the study will determine whether an eccentric exercise intervention involving a low loading speed and high intensity could maximize the immediate reduction in thickness and associated increase in stiffness of the Achilles tendon compared with interventions involving a higher loading speed and lower intensity.
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Achilles tendon thickness
Timeframe: Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Achilles tendon cross-sectional area
Timeframe: Baseline and immediately following each protocol
Achilles tendon stiffness
Timeframe: Baseline and immediately following each protocol