A new study finds that indulging in moderate exercises daily helps in keeping tendons in the body healthier.
Tendon disorders have often been associated with vigorous exercise. However, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia found that regular exercises of moderate intensity can help keep tendons healthier. It also hastens the treatment process for this painful and often debilitating condition.
Through the study, researchers found that moving around while exercising decreases the production of a certain group of enzymes known as metalloproteinase that is responsible for degrading tendon tissues and increasing tendon protein.
"The onset of tendon disease has always been associated with exercise, however this association has not been fully understood," lead researcher Dr Eleanor Jones from UEA's school of Biological Sciences, said in a press statement. "We have shown that moderate exercise has a positive effect on tendons."
The findings came after the team studied human Achilles tendon cells that were seeded in rat tail collagen gels. The rats were then subjected to different levels of strain experienced by human tendons to simulate moderate exercise.
"In this study we talk about moderately high exercise and we would consider running to be moderately high," Jones continued. "But it's important to remember that our research was carried out in the lab so to confirm this we would need to complete further clinical studies."
In the same study, researchers studied that genes are regulated by the activation of the protein TGF-β and hope that their new findings can help them better understand how exercise is related to tendon disorders.
Tendon diseases are caused when tendons in the body cease to function properly due to damage at cellular level. Symptoms of the disorder include chronic pain, inflammation, stiffness and reduced function.