Effect of aging and exercise on the tendon

Here, we review the literature on how tendons respond and adapt to ageing and exercise. With respect to aging, there are considerable changes early in life, but this seems to be maturation rather than aging per se. In vitro data indicate that aging is associated with a decreased potential for cell p...

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Published in:Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2016-12, Vol.121 (6), p.1237-1362
Main Authors: Svensson, Rene B, Heinemeier, Katja Maria, Couppé, Christian, Kjaer, Michael, Magnusson, S Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aging - metabolism
Aging - physiology
Animals
Collagen
Collagen - metabolism
Effects
Exercise
Exercise - physiology
Humans
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism
Resistance Training - methods
Stress, Mechanical
Tendons
Tendons - metabolism
Tendons - physiology
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Summary:Here, we review the literature on how tendons respond and adapt to ageing and exercise. With respect to aging, there are considerable changes early in life, but this seems to be maturation rather than aging per se. In vitro data indicate that aging is associated with a decreased potential for cell proliferation and a reduction in the number of stem/progenitor-like cells. Further, there is persuasive evidence that turnover in the core of the tendon after maturity is very slow or absent. Tendon fibril diameter, collagen content, and whole tendon size appear to be largely unchanged with aging, while glycation-derived cross-links increase substantially. Mechanically, aging appears to be associated with a reduction in modulus and strength. With respect to exercise, tendon cells respond by producing growth factors, and there is some support for a loading-induced increase in tendon collagen synthesis in humans, which likely reflects synthesis at the very periphery of the tendon rather than the core. Average collagen fibril diameter is largely unaffected by exercise, while there can be some hypertrophy of the whole tendon. In addition, it seems that resistance training can yield increased stiffness and modulus of the tendon and may reduce the amount of glycation. Exercise thereby tends to counteract the effects of aging.
ISSN:8750-7587
1522-1601
DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00328.2016