Eccentric Training Decreases Paratendon Capillary Blood Flow and Preserves Paratendon Oxygen Saturation in Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

Abstract

An eccentric-training program performed daily over 12 weeks reduced the increased paratendinous capillary blood flow in Achilles tendinopathy by as much as 45% and decreased pain level based on a visual analog scale. Local paratendon oxygenation was preserved while paratendinous postcapillary venous filling pressures were reduced after 12 weeks of eccentric training, which appears to be beneficial from the perspective of microcirculation.