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Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology2002; 133(4); 1039-1050; doi: 10.1016/s1095-6433(02)00148-4

The influence of ageing and exercise on tendon growth and degeneration–hypotheses for the initiation and prevention of strain-induced tendinopathies.

Abstract: Strain-induced tendinopathy is a common injury in both human and equine athletes, with increasing incidence associated with greater involvement in sport and an increasingly aged population. This paper reviews our studies on the abundant non-collagenous protein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), in equine tendons. Its variation between tendon type and site, age and exercise has provided an insight into how age and exercise influence tendon growth and maturation. Tendons can be broadly divided into two types, reflecting their different matrix composition and function: the energy-storing tendons used for weight-bearing and locomotion, which suffer a high incidence of strain-induced tendinopathy, and positional tendons involved in limb placement or manipulative skills. It would appear that while energy-storing tendon can respond to the mechanical forces applied to it during growth, there is no evidence that it can do so after skeletal maturity. Instead, cumulative fatigue damage causes degeneration at the molecular level, potentially weakening it and increasing the risk of clinical injury. Appropriate exercise regimes early in life may help to improve the quality of growing tendon, thereby reducing the incidence of injury during ageing or subsequent athletic career.
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Publication Date: 2002-12-18 PubMed ID: 12485691DOI: 10.1016/s1095-6433(02)00148-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates how aging and exercise affects the growth and decay of tendons, especially in terms of tendinopathy, a common injury found in athletes. It particularly discusses the role of a protein called cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine tendons to provide insights on the influence of age and exercise on tendon health.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The primary goal of this study is to understand the influence of age and exercise on tendon growth and maturation. It aims to identify mechanisms that may lead to strain-induced tendinopathy and how it may be prevented. The article focuses on both human and equine athletes, as both groups exhibit a high incidence of tendinopathy.
  • The researchers used the model of equine tendons to study the role and variation of the non-collagenous protein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). They focused on changes according to tendon type, age, and levels of exercise.

Main Findings and Insights

  • Tendons can be divided into two categories based on matrix composition and function: energy-storing tendons, used for weight-bearing and locomotion, which often undergo strain-induced tendinopathy, and positional tendons, involved in limb placement or manipulative skills.
  • The study suggests that energy-storing tendons can respond to mechanical forces during the growth phase, but evidence shows they cannot do so after skeletal maturity. Instead, accumulated fatigue damage leads to molecular-level degeneration, potentially weakening the tendon and increasing the risk of injury.
  • The role and the presence of the COMP protein vary with tendon type, age, and level of exercise. This provides insights into the underlying biological processes that influence tendon growth and maturation.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The research suggests that appropriate exercise routines early in life can enhance the quality of growing tendons, thus reducing the likelihood of injury as one ages or during an athletic career. The prevention of strain-induced tendinopathy is more effective during the growth phase rather than after skeletal maturity.
  • The findings from the study bear relevance for both human and equine athletes, opening up avenues for developing therapeutic applications targeted towards tendon health, and offering strategies for injury prevention in both groups.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith RK, Birch HL, Goodman S, Heinegård D, Goodship AE. (2002). The influence of ageing and exercise on tendon growth and degeneration–hypotheses for the initiation and prevention of strain-induced tendinopathies. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol, 133(4), 1039-1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1095-6433(02)00148-4

Publication

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology
ISSN: 1095-6433
NlmUniqueID: 9806096
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 133
Issue: 4
Pages: 1039-1050

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, R K W
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts. AL9 7TA, UK. rksmith@rvc.ac.uk
Birch, H L
    Goodman, S
      Heinegård, D
        Goodship, A E

          MeSH Terms

          • Aging / physiology
          • Animals
          • Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
          • Exercise / physiology
          • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
          • Glycoproteins / metabolism
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Matrilin Proteins
          • Tendon Injuries / physiopathology
          • Tendon Injuries / prevention & control
          • Tendons / growth & development
          • Tendons / metabolism
          • Tendons / pathology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 51 times.
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