Optimal dose of resistance exercise improves tendinopathies, finds BMJ study

Furthermore, the results highlighted the role of exercise frequency in tendinopathy management. Lower frequencies (less than daily) were associated with greater pooled mean effect sizes compared to mid (daily) and high frequencies (more than once per day). This suggests that allowing for adequate recovery time between resistance exercise sessions may create stronger stimuli for tendon adaptation and improved recovery.

In contrast, the relationship between training volume and treatment effectiveness was less conclusive. The evidence for associations between training volume and pooled mean effect sizes was minimal and inconsistent, indicating that volume alone may not have a significant impact on tendinopathy outcomes.

Overall, this meta-analysis underscores the importance of considering resistance exercise dose components in the management of tendinopathies. By prescribing therapies with higher intensities and lower frequencies, clinicians may provide patients with stronger stimuli for tendon adaptation and facilitate adequate recovery. These findings have the potential to enhance the efficacy of tendinopathy management strategies and improve patient outcomes. 

Source:

Pavlova, A. V., Shim, J. S. C., Moss, R., Maclean, C., Brandie, D., Mitchell, L., Greig, L., Parkinson, E., Alexander, L., Tzortziou Brown, V., Morrissey, D., Cooper, K., & Swinton, P. A. (2023). Effect of resistance exercise dose components for tendinopathy management: a systematic review with meta-analysis. In British Journal of Sports Medicine (p. bjsports-2022-105754). BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-105754