This research investigates how tendons respond to sustained mechanical stress, known as creep loading, and the resulting nanostructural changes at the collagen fibril level. The study focuses on understanding how these stresses lead to long-term damage in tendon tissues, which has significant implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation in sports medicine.

Using a custom-built electromechanical testing rig, tendon specimens were subjected to prolonged loading to simulate real-world mechanical conditions. The experiments were designed to mimic the stress levels tendons experience during repetitive motions or sustained exertion. The project combined biomechanical testing with advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to assess the microstructural damage.

One of the key findings was that tendon damage primarily results from collagen fibril rupture rather than the commonly believed mechanism of slippage, a discovery that challenges existing theories on tendon injury. This new understanding could inform the development of improved rehabilitation protocols and artificial tendon designs, offering better solutions for sports injuries and degenerative conditions.