After exercise, changes in AP thickness & CSA of the ECM are reported, but often without change to the elastic components of the tendon, such as stiffness or hysteresis. This would indicate that these size changes may be more related to components of the ECM such as proteoglycan content, leading to various changes in hydrophilic properties ie. the viscous element of the tendon.
Can anybody clarify whether this view is too over simplistic?
Dear Arturo, I would agree with your statement if you are talking about short term effects of exercise, single bout. With a single bout the CSA change is proteoglycan content, with a reduction in the amount of collagen for the first 48hrs then the tendon shows an increased amount ( langberg et al study using radioactive isotope labelling).
Jill cook explains the increased proteoglycan content and subsequent increase in fluid content as swelling and forcing the collagen fibres apart. This intern leads to structural changes associated with Tendinopathy and can (over longer periods) allow neuro-vascular ingrowth.
So the answer to your question, yes CSA change in healthy people with a single bout of exercise is ECM, but the collagen level also drops and may confound this. Pleated training (as you know) will lead to long term alterations in tendon thickness. Runners have increased CSA compared with rowers etc.
Hopefully some of the tendon researchers on here will post their thoughts.
Seth
Absolutely agree with Seth.
In this way, you can find some Jill Cook's presentations in slideshare talking about this.
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