Muscle and Tendon are two different types of fibres that connect bonds, and allows joint to be moved by contracting or extending.
A muscle consists of fibres of muscle cells covered by fascia, bundled together with many more fascia fibres, all surrounded by thick protective tissue.
So each muscle fibre is covered in the fascia, for then be wrapped as a full muscle in more fascia.
A tendon is a high-tensile-strength band of dense fibery connective tissue.
Indeed tendons have the capacity to transmit the mechanical forces of muscle to the skeletal system.
Tendons as per ligaments are made of collagen fibres.
So what are more differences between muscles and tendons?
A muscle compare to a tendon is elastic and seats in between 2 tendons parts which keep the muscle itself connected to bonds.
So yes, muscles are not directly connected to bond themself, luckily there is to say, if this was the case, it would be really easy to suffer from injuries like a muscle tear.
Said so, is now easy to understand that tendons are capable of holding more force.
In fact, due to the consistency of the tendon and its functionality we now can understand the reason why a tendon tear or rupture is a really severe injury, which requires surgical intervention, and months of rehabilitation.
On the other hand, often after months of rehabilitation, still, the tendon would not go back to its original state.
A common tendon rupture is Achille’s tendon.
Achille’s tendon connects the lower part of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus to the hill of the foot.
Repetitive movement and repetitive partial load on this tendon are the main cause of injury.
So, how do keep muscles and tendons out of trouble?
Well, the answers seats in doing simple and gentle exercises.
Key points of these types of exercises are:
- Consistency
- Resisted load (by using rubber bands)
- Starting with light weight to then build up with time heavier load
- Good posture doing the exercises
- Have a day of rest from exercises once a week
- Avoid exercises that aggravate your pain.
Said so, other key points for muscle and tendons good health seating into:
- Having a good night’s rest
- Eating more fresh food than overprocess food
In regards to recovery from an injury, as previously mentioned in the ice pack and or heat pack posts, the usage of temperature is recommended based on the stage of the injury and the pain experienced with it.
Even though on an inflamed tendon, never apply a heat pack.