Training tendons: What really matters for performance and rehabilitation with Seth O’Neill

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Aug 4, 2022

Seth O'Neill, an Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at the University of Leicester, discusses the role of tendons in dynamic movements and tissue adaptation. He explains the importance of tendon structure and how it can be influenced by factors like aging. Seth also explores isometric training and its benefits for rehabilitation. He delves into specific tendons such as patellar tendons and Achilles tendons, as well as calf training and monitoring. Lastly, he highlights the increased occurrence of calf injuries in sports and the correlation between calf strength and sprint speed.

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Introduction

00:00 • 5min

Introduction to Seth O'Neill and his expertise in tendons

04:37 • 2min

The Role of Tendons in Dynamic Movements and Tissue Adaptation

06:27 • 24min

Calf injuries, training, and rehab techniques

30:34 • 4min

Using Pain as a Gateway to Progression in Rehabilitation and Performance

34:57 • 2min

The Importance of Calf Training in Sports

37:08 • 24min

Wrapping Up and Contact Information

01:00:40 • 3min

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Seth O’Neill. He’s an Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at the University of Leicester. He has a PhD on tendinopathy and in this episode its all about the tendons, how we train them, how we reduce the chances of injury and how we rehabilitate them.

Seth tells us about the role of the tendon function and how it can adapt to dynamic movements. This includes the importance of tendon structure – and why this subject has been dividing opinion. Seth moves onto what causes changes to tendon structure, including ageing and how this can be mitigated for. There’s also some insight into muscle stiffness versus tendon stiffness, and how both affect performance.

Seth also discusses isometric training, including what does and doesn’t work for him in order to get the best performance benefits. He also talks about how isometrics can be the gateway to rehabilitation and how pain comes into the equation. He goes into specifics too, about patellar tendons, the Achilles tendon, and on to calf training and monitoring. This includes why calf injuries are now more common, and why hamstring injuries have plateaued in recent times. Finally, Seth tells us how to gain performance benefits through calf training. For all this insight and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

The main question sports clubs ask Seth regarding physiotherapy
The role of the tendon function and adapting to dynamic movements
The importance of tendon structure
What causes changes to tendon structure
How much can age affect tendon structure
Muscle stiffness versus tendon stiffness
What does and doesn’t work in isometric training
How isometric training can be best used to get performance benefits
How isometrics can be the gateway to rehabilitation
Patellar tendon and Achilles rehabilitation
Calf training and monitoring
Why calf injuries are now more common, and hamstring injuries have plateaued
Gaining performance benefits through calf training