FORCETRANSMITTING TISSUES. FUNCTION DURING IN VIVO LOADING, AND ADAPTATION TO USE/DISUSE

Abstract

Tendons have previously been regarded inert structures that mainly transmit forces from muscle to bone. However, with technological/methodological gains in recent decades, the ability to examine in vivo tendon function has improved significantly, and moreover, it has become clear that tendinous tissues, like most other tissues, undergo adaptation in consequence of changes in loading. Although mechanical function and load adaptation is not entirely understood, a large body of recent literature has contributed to the comprehension of tendon function. The present paper examines current knowledge on tendon mechanical function during human movement, and tendon response to acute and chronic changes in loading.