Uphill treadmill running does not induce histopathological changes in the rat Achilles tendon Article (Web of Science)

abstract

  • Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate whether uphill treadmill running in rats created histopathological changes within the Achilles tendon consistent with Achilles tendinosis in humans. Methods Twenty-six mature rats selectively bred for high-capacity running were divided into run and cage control groups. Run group rats ran on a treadmill at a 15° incline for a maximum duration of 1 hr/d, 5 d/wk for 9 weeks at increasing speeds, while rats in the cage control group maintained normal cage activity. After 9 weeks, Achilles tendons were harvested for histological processing and semi-quantitative histopathological analysis. Results There were no significant group differences within each of the individual histopathological categories assessed (all p ≥ 0.16) or for total histopathological score (p = 0.14). Conclusions Uphill treadmill running in rats selectively bred for high-capacity running did not generate Achilles tendon changes consistent with the histopathological presentation of Achilles tendinosis in humans.

authors

  • Dirks, Rachel C
  • Richard, Jeffrey S
  • Fearon, Angela M
  • Scott, Alexander
  • Koch, Lauren Gerard
  • Britton, Steven L
  • Warden, Stuart J

publication date

  • 2013

webpage

published in

start page

  • 90

volume

  • 14

issue

  • 1