Faster Movement Speed Results in Greater Tendon Strain during the Loaded Squat Exercise

Introduction: Tendon dynamics influence movement performance and provide the stimulus for long-term tendon adaptation. As tendon strain increases with load magnitude and decreases with loading rate, changes in movement speed during exercise should influence tendon strain. Methods: Ten resistance-trained men [squat one repetition maximum (1RM) to body mass ratio: 1.65 ± 0.12] performed parallel-depth back squat lifts with 60% of 1RM load at three different speeds: slow fixed-tempo (TS: 2-s eccentric, 1-s pause, 2-s concentric), volitional-speed without a pause (VS) and maximum-speed jump (JS). In each condition joint kinetics, quadriceps tendon length (L(T)), patellar tendon force (F(T)), and rate of force development (RFD(T)) were estimated using integrated ultrasonography, motion-capture, and force platform recordings. Results: Peak L(T), F(T), and RFD(T) were greater in JS than TS (p < 0.05), however no differences were observed between VS and TS. Thus, moving at faster speeds resulted in both greater tendon stress and strain despite an increased RFD(T), as would be predicted of an elastic, but not a viscous, structure. Temporal comparisons showed that L(T) was greater in TS than JS during the early eccentric phase (10–14% movement duration) where peak RFD(T) occurred, demonstrating that the tendon's viscous properties predominated during initial eccentric loading. However, during the concentric phase (61–70 and 76–83% movement duration) differing F(T) and similar RFD(T) between conditions allowed for the tendon's elastic properties to predominate such that peak tendon strain was greater in JS than TS. Conclusions: Based on our current understanding, there may be an additional mechanical stimulus for tendon adaptation when performing large range-of-motion isoinertial exercises at faster movement speeds.