When it comes to exercise, muscles and bones are clearly the stars of the show. But to feel your best and age well, you also need to take a little time each week to exercise the body’s supporting cast: connective tissues like ligaments and tendons, especially if you’ve injured them in the past.
How you do it matters. What works for ligaments doesn’t work for tendons, and vice versa.
“Each part responds to different stimulus,” said Jay Dicharry, a professor of physical therapy at Oregon State University and the author of “Running Rewired.” “Just as you don’t treat each of your children the same, you shouldn’t treat all of your body parts the same way.”
Here’s how to keep your tendons, ligaments and joints healthy and less likely to suffer injury. As with any new exercise, consult your physician or physical therapist if you have concerns.
Tendons
Tendons connect muscles to bones. It’s a tough job — transmitting force generated by the muscles connected to them. “Think of tendons as springs,” said Joel Sattgast, an assistant professor at Eastern Washington University. “As with any spring, over time they stretch out and lose some of that springiness.”
With age, tendon tissues become stiff and brittle, making them susceptible to tearing, through gradual degeneration from overuse or sudden ruptures.
How to improve tendon health
While doctors once prescribed rest for tendon pain, more recent research has shown that exercising tendons — potentially even if they are sore — is far more effective.