Heel pain relief: which simple fix works best for footballers?
NCT ID NCT07360873
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested two common treatments for Achilles tendinopathy in 24 male football players aged 18-30: eccentric calf exercises (lowering the heel off a step) and wearing heel insoles. Over 12 weeks, researchers measured pain, ankle movement, and function. The goal is to find out which approach better eases symptoms and improves performance, helping players get back on the field faster.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Eccentric calf muscle exercises and heel insole lifts
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show which simple, low-cost treatment works better for Achilles pain in football players, helping guide rehab choices.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 24 male football players, so results may not apply to women, other athletes, or severe cases. Both treatments are conservative and unlikely to cause harm, but may not fully resolve symptoms.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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FAME Football Club, Model Town, Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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