Expert Jarrod Antflick discusses genetic factors impacting tendon health in athletes, plantaris-related tendinopathies, training techniques for tendon health, and maintaining Achilles & patellar tendons. Insights on collagen production, tailored loading stimulus, and balancing volume and strength training for optimal tendon condition.
Regular and consistent loading is crucial for improving tendon health by promoting tendon adaptation and managing tendinopathy.
Effective programs for tendon improvement require balancing volume, frequency, and duration of exercises to optimize collagen turnover rates.
Rehabilitating tendons in high-functioning athletes, like equine athletes, often requires a long recovery period due to constant load demands and challenges in full return to sports at the same intensity.
Deep dives
History of Specialization and Research Focus
The speaker delves into their background, beginning with a sports therapy education and progressing to a PhD in bioengineering at Imperial College London, focusing on the structure and pain relationship in tendinopathy. They highlight their involvement in managing tendons and their interest in track and field, emphasizing their experiences working with athletes with tendon issues.
Importance of Structure in Tendinopathy
In discussing the importance of tendon structure in tendinopathy, the speaker emphasizes the need for regular and consistent loading to improve tendon health. They point out the impact of mechanical properties and loading rates on tendons, stressing the significance of maintaining a structured, progressive loading program to promote tendon adaptation and health.
Management Strategies and Challenges in Tendinopathy
When addressing management strategies for tendinopathy, the speaker highlights the role of mechanical loading in tendon improvement. They discuss the challenges in creating effective programs, such as balancing volume, frequency, and duration of exercises to optimize collagen turnover rates. Additionally, they emphasize the need for individualized approaches based on the specific needs and adaptations of each patient's tendon health.
Treatment and Rehab of Equine Athletes' Tendons
In the podcast, the discussion centers around the treatment and rehabilitation of tendons in equine athletes. It is highlighted that tendons in equine athletes do not completely normalize even with rest, and a year-long recovery period is often necessary. The podcast emphasizes the challenges of rehabilitating tendons in high-functioning athletes with constant load demands, questioning the full return to sports at the same intensity.
Isometric vs. Heavy Slow Resistance for Tendon Health
Another key topic addressed in the podcast is the comparison between short isometric exercises and heavy slow resistance training for tendon health. The conversation delves into the effectiveness of high-force isometrics versus longer duration holds and the impact on tendon strain rates and elasticity. The discussion also touches on the use of Blood Flow Restriction training and its potential benefits for tendons, shedding light on the evolving understanding of tendon adaptations to different forms of exercise.
