Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the three groups and intervention characteristics of the two exercise protocols

Age [years]

42 ± 11 (26–55)

40 ± 8 (24–52)

39 ± 9 (25–52)

Body height [cm]

182 ± 6 (173–195)

179 ± 5 (170–186)

184 ± 6 (177–198)

Body mass [kg]

80 ± 12 (68–110)

76 ± 7 (65–88)

85 ± 11 (70–110)

Body mass index [kg/m²]

24 ± 4 (20–37)

24 ± 2 (21–28)

25 ± 3 (22–32)

Activity level [hours/week]^A

6 ± 4 (0–14)

6 ± 4 (0–12)

7 ± 6 (1–23)

Laterality (left/right)

3/11

2/12^B

3/11^B

Symptomatic AT (left/right)

10/4

7/8

9/6

Symptom localization (Ins./Mid-portion)

5/9

7/8

7/8

Symptom duration [months]

17 ± 20 (4–60)

45 ± 68 (3–264)

25 ± 33 (3–96)

VISA-A PRE [points]

59 ± 15 (19–78)

53 ± 14 (29–73)

57 ± 11 (35–73)

Intervention characteristics

Loading time per session [min]

–

4.5

1

Loading time per week [min]

–

63

4

Time per session [min]^C,D

–

11.75

5.75

Time per week [min]^C,D

–

164.5

23