Tendon stiffness IS the adaptation we want to REDUCE injury and to create more stable and resilient joints.

Tendon stiffness is the relationship between the force exerted on the tendon and its change in the length

Compliant tendons change length A LOT when force is applied where stiff tendons change length very little when that same force is applied.

Literally........STIFF TENDONS ARE WHAT WE NEED TO PROTECT against tendinopathy injuries AND AGE RELATED PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES.

So how do we make sure we're training to keep or get those stiff tendon adaptations????

HEAVY LOADS AND MAX ISOMETRICS.

1. It is WELL DOCUMENTED that tendon stiffness, WHICH IS THE ADAPTATION WE NEED IN ORDER TO CREATE MORE ROBUST AND RESILIENT JOINTS, NEEDS HEAVY LOADS OR MAXIMAL ISOMETICS.

2. PMID: 17101142
The results further indicate that subjects with higher muscle strength possibly increase the margin of tolerated mechanical loading of the tendon due to the greater stiffness of their triceps surae tendon and aponeurosis.

3. PMID: 30704412
"Despite equal improvements in tendon size after moderate and heavy load resistance training, only heavy. load training seemed to maintain tendon mechanical properties in old age."

4. PMID: 19112156
Tendon stiffness was 4x greater in the isometric group compared to dynamic reps.

5.  PMID: 35084703
This review goes over the fact that the rehab world has caught up to the research in that they know now that in order to come back from injury, heavy loads have to eventually be included in order to create the tendon stiffness adaptations.  Wow I coulda had a V8

"Oh yeah, well one day you'll see.  When you end up in snap city becu...."

"Hey cupcake...I've been training HEAVY NOW FOR 35 YEARS.  Maybe it's because you're weak and your bloodlines are weak that you ended up in snap city."

A great way to end up with nagging joint issues and overuse injuries is to start doing light weight and high reps.  Fantastic way to make sure that you reduce your tendon stiffness.