Increasing or decreasing load during resistance training is not associated with changes in pain among individuals with patellar tendinopathy: a randomized crossover study

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether exercising with different relative loads would be associated with different experienced pain intensities in individuals with patellar tendinopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 14 individuals with patellar tendinopathy for this randomized crossover study. In a randomized order, participants performed one set of single-legged leg presses during one session with three relative loads (6 repetition maximum (RM), 10RM, and 14RM). The primary outcome was pain during exercise measured on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain), which participants rated after performing the exercise set with each relative load.

RESULTS: No differences in pain during either of the three relative loads were observed (F(2, 26) = 0.06, p = 0.942). The participants' experienced pain was 4.5 NRS (SD1.7), 4.5 NRS (SD1.7), and 4.6 NRS (SD2.0) during the 6RM, 10RM, and 14RM loads, respectively. A secondary analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in pain intensity between the performance of the first, second, or third exercise set regardless of the load (F(2, 26) = 1.06, p = 0.367).

CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in pain intensity during either relative load among individuals with patellar tendinopathy. Therefore, higher loads may be applied, associated with enhanced tendon adaptation.