Effects of Therapeutic Exercise on Pain, Range of Motion, and Patellar Tendon in Volleyball Players With Jumper’s Knee
Abstract
Background. Jumper’s knee is a common overuse injury in athletes, characterised by activity-related pain and impaired patellar tendon function due to microtears. Therapeutic eccentric and isometric exercises have been shown to alleviate symptoms and improve lower-limb function.
Aim. To evaluate the effects of an 8-week targeted exercise programme on pain, range of motion, and patellar tendon biomechanical properties in volleyball athletes with patellar tendinopathy.
Methods. Twenty-one male volleyball players with patellar pain were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 11). The intervention group completed a structured physiotherapy programme twice weekly for eight weeks, consisting of bodyweight-based isometric and eccentric exercises, including wall sits, tibialis raises, calf raises, split squats, Patrick step exercises, etc. Outcome measures were symptom severity and functional status assessed via the VISA-P questionnaire, lower-limb range of motion (knee flexion and hip flexion/extension) measured with a goniometer, and patellar tendon biomechanical properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) measured with the Myoton PRO myotonometer. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analysed using nonparametric tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results. After eight weeks, the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in VISA-P scores (55 vs 89; p < 0.01), whereas the control group showed no change (61 vs 62; p > 0.05). Between-group differences were significant (89 vs 62; p < 0.001). Minimal changes in range of motion were observed, except for greater right hip flexion gains in the control group (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, patellar tendon tone and stiffness decreased significantly in the relaxed left leg (p < 0.05), indicating improved tendon mechanical properties.
Conclusions. An 8-week structured exercise programme effectively reduces pain, enhances functional status, and improves patellar tendon biomechanics in volleyball players with jumper’s knee, supporting its use as a non-invasive management strategy.
Keywords: jumper’s knee; physiotherapy; exercise programme; biomechanics
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