08/11/2025
Ever wondered how tendons actually adapt?
It’s not just about lifting heavy — it’s about the mechanics behind the load.
Here are the 3 key mechanisms that make tendons stronger and stiffer:
1. Tensile Strain – You need high strain (>4.5%) to trigger collagen remodeling.
2. Fluid Movement – Each contraction moves fluid through the tendon, preparing it to handle more load.
3. Stress Relaxation – Holding a contraction (especially >20s) lets the tendon stretch more for the same force — enhancing adaptation.
Want to understand the full science behind tendon adaptation?
Start your 7-day free trial at Trust me Ed and watch the lecture ‘Tendinopathy adaptation principles and new clinical framework' by Peter Malliaras!
