Feature
Article courtesy Living Fit magazine
TAME YOUR
Tendon Trouble
TO KEEP TRAINING
Tendon injuries are a common problem in many sports but are highly prevalent in high-impact and repetitive activities like running . So how do you understand what the injury is , and most importantly , what can you do to avoid it ?
Tendons are cord-like bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones . They are made of a tough , fibrous substance called collagen that can withstand significant force and tension .
However , despite their strength , these structures often experience some degree of degradation due to overuse , biomechanical imbalances and poor form or technique .
Other factors that can result in tendon injuries include exercise selection , training load , diet , movement speed , a lack of flexibility and mobility , and limb misalignments .
Terrible tendinitis
Most tendon issues develop over time in the form of tendinitis due to chronic physical stress , especially when your body is not properly conditioned .
Tendinitis is caused by a combination of wear and tear , inflammation and poor healing mechanisms , and typically does not resolve on its own . Visible signs of tendinitis include swelling , redness , heat and soreness .
When you damage a tendon , either through direct trauma or wear and tear , some of the fibres break , rip or tear . This triggers an inflammatory response , which traps fluid in the area and releases chemicals that make the affected area extremely sensitive to pain . It also tends to tighten the surrounding muscles , which can affect other joint structures .
Scar tissue then starts to form . While this tissue is the same kind of protein fibre as the original tissue , it is laid down in various directions . These misaligned fibres make the structure weaker .
12 Dis-chem Half Marathon | 15 January 2023