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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)
Fascicles from energy-storing tendons show an age-specific response to cyclic fatigue loading.
Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 11 (92).
ISSN 1742-5689
Abstract
Some tendons, such as the human Achilles and equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), act as energy stores, stretching and recoiling to increase efficiency during locomotion. Our previous observations of rotation in response to applied strain in SDFT fascicles suggest a helical structure, which may provide energy-storing tendons with a greater ability to extend and recoil efficiently. Despite this specialization, energy-storing tendons are prone to age-related tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cyclic fatigue loading (FL) on the microstructural strain response of SDFT fascicles from young and old horses. The data demonstrate two independent age-related mechanisms of fatigue failure; in young horses, FL caused low levels of matrix damage and decreased rotation. This suggests that loading causes alterations to the helix substructure, which may reduce their ability to recoil and recover. By contrast, fascicles from old horses, in which the helix is already compromised, showed greater evidence of matrix damage and suffer increased fibre sliding after FL, which may partially explain the age-related increase in tendinopathy. Elucidation of helix structure and the precise alterations occurring owing to both ageing and FL will help to develop appropriate preventative and repair strategies for tendinopathy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | fascicle,structure-function,micromechanics,confocal microscopy,ageing |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Cells and Tissues Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Pure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Mar 2014 18:10 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Sep 2023 00:53 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/47811 |
| DOI: | 10.1098/rsif.2013.1058 |
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