A study of the normal range of strain, strain rate, and stiffness of tendon.
Abstract: This paper describes the result of an investigation of strains and strain rates which normally occur in the tendons of the equine foreleg and presents stress-strain curves and moduli for the tendons at these rates. It has previously been demonstrated that resistance to flexion of the joints of the distal part of the equine foreleg is provided by a passive system of tendons and ligaments. It is therefore possible, using a large displacement, high-rate testing machine, to duplicate in the laboratory the strain rates and forces which are normally produced in the tendons of the foreleg of the running horse. To carry out tendon tests, legs were mounted in the test machine. The superficial flexor tendon was exposed and fitted with an extensometer and a buckle-type force transducer. Stress-strain curve were obtained for 13 tendons. It is shown that strains to 12% and strain rates to 200%/sec occur normally in the superficial flexor tendon. Stress strain curves and tangent modulus are presented for strains from 0 to 10% at rates from 5 to 100%/sec. Tendon modulus is found to be essentially rate in dependent in this range.
Publication Date: 1978-11-01 PubMed ID: 739019DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820120610Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the typical strains and strain rates in a horse’s foreleg tendons, presenting stress-strain curves and moduli for these rates, and finding that tendon modulus is largely independent to rate within this range.
Study Methodology
- The researchers used a large displacement, high-rate testing machine to emulate the strain rates and forces that are usually generated in a running horse’s foreleg tendons. This process is made possible due to the underlying knowledge that the resistance to joint flexion in the lower foreleg of a horse is structured by a passive system of tendons and ligaments.
- To carry out tendon tests, forelegs were installed in the testing machine. The superficial flexor tendon (a primary tendon in the foreleg) was displayed and fitted with an extensometer for measuring deformation, and a buckle-type force transducer for measuring force.
Results and Findings
- With the setting explained above, stress-strain curves (graphs showing how a material deforms under stress) were obtained for 13 tendons.
- The research shows that normal strains in the superficial flexor tendon can go up to 12% and strain rates can reach up to 200%/second.
- Stress-strain curves and tangent modulus (a value related to the stiffness of the material) were presented for strains varying from 0 to 10% at strain-rates from 5 to 100%/second.
- The researchers found that within this range, the stiffness or modulus of the tendon is essentially independent of the rate of strain. This shows that the tendon’s ability to resist deformation remains constant across different strain rates.
Significance of the Study
- This study provides valuable data on the normal range of stretch, rate of stretch, and stiffness of equine superficial flexor tendons.
- The findings will contribute to the understanding of equine tendon biomechanics, which could inform future research and treatment strategies for tendon injuries in horses.
- The investigation method serves as a replicable model that can be used in further studies of tendon mechanical properties, which can apply not only to horses, but potentially other animals and humans as well.
Cite This Article
APA
Herrick WC, Kingsbury HB, Lou DY.
(1978).
A study of the normal range of strain, strain rate, and stiffness of tendon.
J Biomed Mater Res, 12(6), 877-894.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.820120610 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- In Vitro Techniques
- Tendons / physiology
- Transducers
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Yang F, Das D, Chasiotis I. Strain rate induced toughening of individual collagen fibrils. Appl Phys Lett 2022 Mar 14;120(11):114101.
- Thorpe CT, Birch HL, Clegg PD, Screen HR. The role of the non-collagenous matrix in tendon function. Int J Exp Pathol 2013 Aug;94(4):248-59.
- Wang JH, Thampatty BP, Lin JS, Im HJ. Mechanoregulation of gene expression in fibroblasts. Gene 2007 Apr 15;391(1-2):1-15.
- Nakagawa Y, Hayashi K, Yamamoto N, Nagashima K. Age-related changes in biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon in rabbits. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1996;73(1-2):7-10.
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