Gym that protects the tendons from the aging wear

The tendons look like straps and are inserted between the muscles and the bones.

They transmit the force created by the muscles to the bones, making it possible to move a joint.

According to the findings of a new study, exercise with resistances (weights and other organs) can prevent problems in the tendons, such as ruptures and tendinitis (or tinopathies) associated with aging.

The study was done in mice, and if something similar to humans does, exercise with resistances can have beneficial effects throughout one's life.

In the study, scientists used different groups of rats and found that rat tendon tendons showed less evidence of age-related deterioration than their sedentary counterparts.

 "The relationship between aging disorders and tendons is not well documented," said Rita de Cassia Marqueti Durigan of the Brazilian University who participated in the study.

"To limit the harmful process of aging, an exercise program that includes resistors can be used as an important tool to prevent degeneration or even restore the tendon's functions," the specialist said.

Durigan and colleagues used four groups of rats:

- young sedans, three months old

- trainees, three months old

- elderly seating, 21 months of age

- elderly trained, 21 months of age

Sedentary rats did not follow a resistance training program. The trained rats climbed to a vertical staircase three times a day for 12 weeks, with progressively increasing weight (65%, 85%, 95% and 100% of their maximum capacity).

After a 12-week training session, the animals were euthanized to remove the tendons of their feet.

The researchers carried out several analyzes (biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular) to evaluate the effects of exercise on the molecular and cellular structures of ankle tendon in young and elderly rats and the effects on tendon remodeling. The conclusion was that exercise with resistances prevents damage to the tendons that occur with age.

"It seems likely that the findings from this properly designed study are applicable to humans, so clinical potential is very important," said Thoru Pederson.

The study was published in The FASEB Journal.