Research summary · Recovery and rehabilitation
Isometric versus isotonic loading for proximal hamstring pain
Twenty people with proximal hamstring symptoms lasting more than three months received one isometric and one isotonic exercise session in randomized order, separated by three to seven days; 19 completed both sessions.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Assessor-blinded randomized crossover trial
- Journal
- Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
- Population / context
- Proximal hamstring tendinopathy rehabilitation
What the publication reports
Neither exercise type clearly outperformed the other for functional-task pain, strength or sitting symptoms. Assessments covered immediate responses through 24 hours, with no difference in the proportion achieving clinically relevant pain reduction.
Limits and interpretation
This small acute comparison does not establish equivalence or the best long-term rehabilitation programme. It cannot determine durable return-to-sport outcomes, tendon healing or whether either exercise exceeds no treatment.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
The Effect of Isotonic Versus Isometric Strength Exercise for Pain and Strength in Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42234473DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001478Reader discussion
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