Gual G, Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe A, Romero-Rodríguez D, Tesch PA. Effects of In-Season Inertial Resistance Training With Eccentric Overload in a Sports Population at Risk for Patellar Tendinopathy. J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Jul;30(7):1834-42.
Volleyball and basketball players are a risk group for patellar tendinopathy. 38 woman and 43 men of 8 different basketball and volleyball teams were divided into 2 groups. One group performed 1 weekly eccentric overload training session for 24 weeks in addition to their current training schedule, while the other group just follow their current training schedule. The weekly eccentric overload session consisted of 4 sets of 8 repetitions squats.
The results show that the countermovement jumps and lower limb muscle power were both significantly better with the additional eccentric overload training. Additionally eccentric overload training does not trigger any patellar tendon complaints, which makes it a safe and vital tool for professional athletes.