PIEZO1 gain-of-function gene variant is associated with elevated tendon stiffness in humans.

Prolonged periods of increased physical demands can elicit anabolic tendon adaptations that increase stiffness and mechanical resilience or conversely can lead to pathological processes that deteriorate tendon structural quality with ensuing pain and potential rupture. Although the mechanisms by which tendon mechanical loads regulate tissue adaptation are largely unknown, the ion channel PIEZO1 has been implicated in tendon mechanotransduction, with human carriers of the PIEZO1 gain-of-function variant E756del displaying improved dynamic vertical jump performance compared with noncarriers. Here, we sought to examine whether increased tendon stiffness in humans could explain this increased performance.

Patellar Tendon Shear Wave Velocity Is Higher and has Different Regional Patterns in Elite Competitive Alpine Skiers than in Healthy Controls.

Competitive alpine skiers are exposed to enormous forces acting on their bodies-particularly on the knee joint and hence the patellar tendon - during both the off-season preparation and in-season competition phases. However, factors influencing patellar tendon adaptation and regional pattern differences between alpine skiers and healthy controls are not yet fully understood, but are essential for deriving effective screening approaches and preventative countermeasures. Thirty elite competitive alpine skiers, all members of the Swiss Alpine Ski Team, and 38 healthy age-matched controls were recruited.