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Movement Optimism

Dr Falk Mersmann discussed the hows and whys of building tendon strength

Sep 17, 2024
Dr. Falk Mersmann, head of a research group at Humboldt University, specializes in muscle and tendon biomechanics. He reveals the crucial balance between tendon stiffness and muscle strength to prevent injuries. Personalized tendon loading strategies can enhance adaptations, while simplistic activities like running alone aren't enough for tendon health. He dispels myths about stretching reducing stiffness and argues that plyometrics might not boost tendon strength. Mersmann emphasizes understanding mechanical stiffness for effective injury prevention in athletes.
33:40

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Quick takeaways

  • Balancing tendon stiffness and muscle strength is crucial to prevent tendinopathy and enhance overall athletic performance.
  • Personalized tendon loading strategies can effectively improve tendon strength and stiffness while reducing the risk of overuse injuries.

Deep dives

Understanding Tendon Adaptation to Loading

Tendons adapt differently compared to muscles when exposed to mechanical loading, emphasizing the importance of loading intensity and duration. While muscles can adapt quickly and exhibit hypertrophy through various loading types, tendons require higher strains to stimulate their cellular activity and improve stiffness. This adaptation is often delayed; muscle strength can increase even when tendon stiffness remains unchanged, which can lead to an imbalance. When this imbalance increases, particularly under high loading conditions, it can predispose athletes to tendinopathy due to excessive strain on the tendon.

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