The role of muscle and tendon mechanics in human muscle damage (2015-2020)

We will examine what sort of forceful stretch is required to cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in humans and how muscles adapt to limit future damage. Specifically we aim to examine how the elastic properties of tendon might reduce muscle damage by buffering of stretch in muscle fibres. Using cutting-edge ultrasound imaging technology to examine human muscle strain in different regions of muscle to quantify the temporal relationship between muscle power absorption and EIMD. We will gauge the importance of muscle and tendon mechanical properties in buffering the muscle from potential damage. This could be a critical mechanism for preventing EIMD in exercises humans.