Metabolic activity and collagen turnover in human tendon in response to physical activity

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Connective tissue of the human tendon plays an important role in force transmission. The extracellular matrix turnover of tendon is influenced by physical activity. Blood flow, oxygen demand, and the level of collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinases increase with mechanical loading. Gene transcription and especially post-translational modifications of proteins of the extracellular matrix are enhanced following exercise. Conversely, inactivity markedly decreases collagen turnover. Training leads to a chronically increased collagen turnover, and dependent on the type of collagen also to some degree of net collagen synthesis. These changes modify the biomechanical properties of the tissue (for example, viscoelastic characteristics) as well as the structural properties of the in collagen (for example, cross-sectional area). Mechanical loading of human tendon does result in a marked interstitial increase in growth factors that are known potentially to stimulate synthesis of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins. Taken together, human tendon tissue mounts a vigorous acute and chronic response to mechanical loading in terms of metabolic-circulatory changes as well as of extracellular matrix formation. These changes may contribute to training-induced adaptation of biomechanical properties consisting of altered resistance to loading and enhanced tolerance to strenuous exercise. Understanding of such changes is a pre-requisite in the development of measures aimed at prevention of overuse tendon injuries occurring during sport, work or leisure-related activities.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions
Volume5
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)41-52
Number of pages12
ISSN1108-7161
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2005

    Research areas

  • Adaptation, Physiological, Collagen, Energy Metabolism, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Humans, Movement, Physical Fitness, Stress, Mechanical, Tendons, Weight-Bearing

ID: 33816565