The role of stretching in tendon injuries

Erik Witvrouw ^1*, Nele Mahieu ¹, Philip Roosen ² and Peter McNair ³

¹ Ghent University, Belgium
² Arteveldehogeschool, Belgium
³ Auckland University of Technology, Australia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: erik.witvrouw{at}ugent.be.

Accepted 14 December 2006

Abstract

The function of tendons can be classified into two categories: tensile force transmission, and storage and release of elastic energy during locomotion. The action of tendons as storage and release of energy is mainly seen in sports activities with stretch shortening cycles (SSC). The more intense the SSC movements are (jumping- like activities), the more frequent tendon problems are observed. High SSC movements impose high loads on tendons. Consequently, tendons frequently dealing with high SSC motion, require a high energy absorbing capacity to store and release this high amount of elastic energy. Since the elasticity of tendon structures is a leading factor in the amount of stored energy, focus of prevention and rehabilitation programs for tendon injuries should be on increasing this tendon elasticity in athletes performing high SSC movements. Recently, it has been shown that ballistic stretching can significantly increase tendon elasticity. These findings have important clinical implications for treatment and prevention of tendon injuries.

Key Words: ballistic, elasticity, stretching, tendon, treatment

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