Lesson 8 - Connective Tissue Adaptations to Exercise Flashcards
What is the function of connective tissue?
- maintain anatomical form and structure
insulation - energy reserve
- facilitate blood flow
What are the components of connective tissue?
- cells
- fibers
- ground substance
Which components of connective tissue are part of the extracellular matrix?
fibers and ground substance
What kind of fibers make up connective tissue?
- collagen
- elastin
- reticular
What is collagen fiber?
a strong protein with high tensile strength
What is elastin fiber?
an elastic protein with the ability to stretch and recoil
What is reticular fiber?
a short, fine, mesh network of fiber used for holding structures in place
What is ground substance?
gel like substance
Which connective tissues have high blood supply?
vascular tissue, adipose tissue, bone
Which connective tissues have low blood supply?
cartilage, ligaments, tendons
What is stiffness?
extent to which an object resists deformation in response to an applied force
What is Young’s modulus?
stress/strain curve
What is stress?
force or load
What is strain?
change in length
Which connective tissue has high Young’s modulus (stress/strain)?
tendon, ligaments, cartilage
Which connective tissue has a high Young’s modulus?
bone = does not deform easily
What does a tendon allow?
transmission of muscle forces to bones and joints
How does a tendon respond to exercise?
- increase stiffness
How does a tendon increase in stiffness in response to exercise?
increased collagen synthesis leading to changes in tendon material and morphology
What kind of load is most effective to elicit tendon adaptation?
high loads
What is tendon dependent on?
mechanical load
How many weeks of interventions are beneficial for tendon adaptation?
more than 12 weeks
Does contraction type (iso, ecc, con) matter in tendon adaptions?
no, insignificant
What is the role of a ligament?
connect bone to bone for stability