Which exercise should be avoided to prevent stress on the patellar tendon?

The hurdles stretch should be avoided to prevent stress on the patellar tendon because this exercise involves significant knee flexion and extension, which can place strain on the tendon, especially if performed excessively or without proper warm-up. The hurdles stretch targets flexibility in the hamstrings and hip flexors but can inadvertently stress the patellar tendon through the range of motion required for this stretch.

In contrast, exercises like leg presses, toe raises, and seated calf raises can be performed with adjustments to minimize stress on the patellar tendon. For example, the leg press can be modified by adjusting foot position and resistance load, while both toe raises and seated calf raises primarily focus on strengthening the calf muscles rather than excessively loading the knee. Keeping the knees in a more stable position during calf exercises alleviates additional strain on the patellar tendon compared to dynamic stretching movements like the hurdles stretch. It’s crucial for individuals to choose exercises with less impact on their joints, particularly when aiming to protect the patellar tendon.