Fascicles and the interfascicular matrix show decreased fatigue life with ageing in energy storing tendons.

ABSTRACT: Tendon is composed of rope-like fascicles bound together by interfascicular matrix (IFM). The IFM is critical for the function of energy storing tendons, facilitating sliding between fascicles to allow these tendons to cyclically stretch and recoil. This capacity is required to a lesser degree in positional tendons. We have previously demonstrated that both fascicles and IFM in energy storing tendons have superior fatigue resistance compared with positional tendons, but the effect of ageing on the fatigue properties of these different tendon subunits has not been determined. Energy storing tendons become more injury-prone with ageing, indicating reduced fatigue resistance, hence we tested the hypothesis that the decline in fatigue life with ageing in energy storing tendons would be more pr

SUBMITTER: Thorpe CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5486374 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature