Flexing Knowledge | Tendon Health Decoded with Dr. Gerard D’Onofrio
The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show
Quality over Quantity in Tendon Health
Tendons undergo changes with age such as a decrease in young's modulus, cross-sectional area, and collagen content. However, these factors are modifiable but less so than muscles. It is crucial to focus on the quality of tendon tissue rather than its size for optimal mechanical efficiency. Tendinopathies are characterized by larger tendons due to water aggregation. Strength is not solely dependent on muscle size but on mechanical efficiency, neurokinetics, and body positioning. Collagen in tendons forms a triple helix structure, enhancing the effectiveness of collagen fibers. Changes in young's modulus occur before an increase in tendon size with exercise, and men generally have larger tendons than women, but size does not always equate to strength.
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