Age-related changes in mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon

Regular sport practice could prevent age-related changes in tendinous tissues. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of regular badminton practice on patellar and Achilles tendon mechanical properties in senior competitive badminton players (>35 years old) and to compare the results with physically active people matched by age. One hundred ninety-two badminton players and 193 physically active people were divided by age into four groups, between 35 and 44 (U45), between 45 and 54 (U55), between 55 and 64 (U65), and over 65 (O65) years old. A LogiqS8 transducer in elastography mode and a MyotonPRO myotonometer were used to assess patellar and Achilles mechanical properties. Achilles tendon stiffness was higher in the control group than the badminton players for the U45, U55, and O65 age groups (p < .01). Also, the elastography index was higher in the control group than the badminton players for the U45, U55, U65, and O65 age groups (p < .05). In conclusion, regular badminton practice could prevent the decline in mechanical properties of the patellar and Achilles tendons.

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Reference point indentation testing detects age-related changes in tissue mechanical properties in mice

Bone Abstracts ◽

10.1530/boneabs.2.p81 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Forbes Mhairi ◽

Bishop Nick ◽

Grabowski Peter

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Reference Point ◽

Indentation Testing ◽

Age Related ◽

Reference Point Indentation ◽

Age Related Changes

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Ageing Changes in the Tensile Properties of Tendons: Influence of Collagen Fibril Volume Fraction

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.2898732 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

K. L. Goh ◽

D. F. Holmes ◽

H.-Y. Lu ◽

S. Richardson ◽

K. E. Kadler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Collagen Fibril ◽

Volume Fraction ◽

Area Fraction ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

P Values ◽

Age Related ◽

Fibril Diameter ◽

Age Related Changes

Connective tissues are biological composites comprising of collagen fibrils embedded in (and reinforcing) the hydrated proteoglycan-rich (PG) gel within the extracellular matrices (ECMs). Age-related changes to the mechanical properties of tissues are often associated with changes to the structure of the ECM, namely, fibril diameter. However, quantitative attempts to correlate fibril diameter to mechanical properties have yielded inconclusive evidence. Here, we described a novel approach that was based on the rule of mixtures for fiber composites to evaluate the dependence of age-related changes in tendon tensile strength (σ) and stiffness (E) on the collagen fibril cross-sectional area fraction (ρ), which is related to the fibril volume fraction. Tail tendons from C57BL6 mice from age groups 1.6–35.3months old were stretched to failure to determine σ and E. Parallel measurements of ρ as a function of age were made using transmission electron microscopy. Mathematical models (rule of mixtures) of fibrils reinforcing a PG gel in tendons were used to investigate the influence of ρ on ageing changes in σ and E. The magnitudes of σ, E, and ρ increased rapidly from 1.6monthsto4.0months (P-values <0.05) before reaching a constant (age independent) from 4.0monthsto29.0months (P-values >0.05); this trend continued for E and ρ (P-values >0.05) from 29.0monthsto35.3months, but not for σ, which decreased gradually (P-values <0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that age-related changes in σ and E correlated positively to ρ (P-values <0.05). Collagen fibril cross-sectional area fraction ρ is a significant predictor of ageing changes in σ and E in the tail tendons of C57BL6 mice.

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