Effect of fatigue loading on structure and functional behaviour of fascicles from energy-storing tendons

Thorpe, Chavaunne T, Riley, Graham P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5528-5611, Birch, Helen L, Clegg, Peter D and Screen, Hazel R C (2014) Effect of fatigue loading on structure and functional behaviour of fascicles from energy-storing tendons. Acta Biomaterialia, 10 (7). pp. 3217-3224. ISSN 1878-7568

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Abstract

Tendons can broadly be categorized according to their function: those that act purely to position the limb and those that have an additional function as energy stores. Energy-storing tendons undergo many cycles of large deformations during locomotion, and so must be able to extend and recoil efficiently, rapidly and repeatedly. Our previous work has shown rotation in response to applied strain in fascicles from energy-storing tendons, indicating the presence of helical substructures which may provide greater elasticity and recovery. In the current study, we assessed how preconditioning and fatigue loading affect the ability of fascicles from the energy-storing equine superficial digital flexor tendon to extend and recoil. We hypothesized that preconditioned samples would exhibit changes in microstructural strain response, but would retain their ability to recover. We further hypothesized that fatigue loading would result in sample damage, causing further alterations in extension mechanisms and a significant reduction in sample recovery. The results broadly support these hypotheses: preconditioned samples showed some alterations in microstructural strain response, but were able to recover following the removal of load. However, fatigue loaded samples showed visual evidence of damage and exhibited further alterations in extension mechanisms, characterized by decreased rotation in response to applied strain. This was accompanied by increased hysteresis and decreased recovery. These results suggest that fatigue loading results in a compromised helix substructure, reducing the ability of energy-storing tendons to recoil. A decreased ability to recoil may lead to an impaired response to further loading, potentially increasing the likelihood of injury.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Cells and Tissues
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 10 Jun 2014 21:52
Last Modified: 03 Sep 2023 00:55
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/48671
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.04.008

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