Neonatal locomotor behavior may contribute to changes in tendon mechanical properties

Tendon tissue engineering approaches are challenged by a limited understanding of the role mechanical loading plays in normal tendon development. We propose that the increased loading that developing postnatal tendons experience with the onset of locomotor behavior impacts tendon formation. In this study, we assessed weight-bearing locomotion in postnatal day 1, 5, and 10 rats, and the mechanical properties of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing tendons. We found significant changes to the material and structural properties of neonatal tendons, which coincided with increases in the onset of weight-bearing locomotion.