Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31386582›Full record

SynthesisJournal of athletic training2019

Altered Strength Profile in Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Seán McAuliffe, Ariane Tabuena, Karen McCreesh, Mary O'Keeffe, John Hurley, Tom Comyns, Helen Purtill, Seth O'Neill, Kieran O'Sullivan

Registry-linked trialAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of athletic training, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04651985 (Effects of Eccentric Strengthening Exercises in Adults With an Achilles Tendinopathy), which is not on this map. Cited by 33 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
33citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04651985 completednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Effects of Eccentric Strengthening Exercises in Adults With an Achilles Tendinopathy: Predictive Validity and Responsiveness of Quantitative Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Measures

TypeobservationalSponsorCentre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)Ran2021 to 2022Enrolled30ConditionsAchilles TendinopathyArmsEccentric strengthening exercises of the Achilles tendon
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

33 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. Trial
  6. Article
  7. Article
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  10. Article
  11. Effects of an exercise program on calf muscle characteristics in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine · 2025
    Observational
  12. Achilles tendinopathy.Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2025
    Review
  13. Review
  14. Article
  15. Achilles Tendinopathy Pathogenesis and Management: A Narrative Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Review
  16. Article
  17. Review
  18. Review
  19. Review
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Seán McAuliffeAspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Ariane TabuenaSchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland.
Karen McCreeshSchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland.
Mary O'KeeffeSchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland.
John HurleySchool of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Ireland.
Tom ComynsDepartment of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Limerick, Ireland.
Helen PurtillDepartment of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Limerick, Ireland.
Seth O'NeillDepartment of Medical & Social Care Education, University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
Kieran O'SullivanAspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPersistent strength deficits secondary to Achilles tendinopathy (AT) have been postulated to account for difficulty engaging in tendon-loading movements, such as running and jumping, and may contribute to the increased risk of recurrence. To date, little consensus exists on the presence of strength deficits in AT. Consequently, researchers are uncertain about the appropriate methods of assessment that may inform rehabilitation in clinical practice.

objectiveTo evaluate and synthesize the literature investigating plantar-flexion (PF) strength in individuals with AT. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers searched 9 electronic databases using an agreed-upon set of key words. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from studies comparing strength measures (maximal, reactive, and explosive strength) between individuals with AT and healthy control participants or between the injured and uninjured sides of people with AT. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Case-Control Study Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias for the included studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 19 studies were eligible. Pooled meta-analyses for isokinetic dynamometry demonstrated reductions in maximal strength (concentric PF peak torque [PT] slow [Hedges

conclusionsIndividuals with AT demonstrated strength deficits compared with the uninjured side or with asymptomatic control participants. Deficits were reported across the strength spectrum for maximal, reactive, and explosive strength. Clinicians and researchers may need to adapt their assessment of Achilles tendon function, which may ultimately help to optimize rehabilitation outcomes.

Indexed as

TendinopathyAchilles TendonBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansOutcome Assessment, Health CareTreatment Outcomeassessmentstrength spectrumtendon

Identifiers

PMID31386582
PMCPMC6761911

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.