"June 2003" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 408-457)

"June 2003" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 408-457) / [26], 457 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, 2003

Collagen content and cross-linking are believed to be major determinants of tendon structural integrity and function. Gender and chronic resistance training have been shown to alter tendon function, and may also alter these key structural features of tendon. Patellar tendon biopsies were taken from untrained men (M, n=8, 25±1 y, 1RM: 53±3 kg), untrained women (W, n=8, 23±2 y, 1RM: 29±2 kg), and resistance-trained (10±1 y trained) men (RTM, n=8, 24±2 y, 1RM: 71 ±6 kg). Biopsies were analyzed for dry mass, collagen content, and collagen cross-linking (hydroxylysylpyridinoline, HP). Tendon dry mass was significantly lower in women than men (M: 376±8, W: 343±5 µg dry mass/mg tendon wet wt, P<0.01), and was not influenced by chronic resistance training (RTM: 364±20 µg dry mass/mg tendon wet wt, P>0.05). The lower tendon dry mass in women reduced (P=0.08) collagen content per tendon wet weight (M: 339±14, W: 306±11 µg collagen/mg tendon wet wt). Collagen content of tendon dry mass was not influenced by gender (P>0.05) or resistance training (P>0.05) (M: 903±38, W: 892±29, RTM: 881±43 !,g collagen/mg tendon dry mass). Similarly, cross-linking of collagen was not impacted by gender (P>0.05) or training (P>0.05) (M: 401±47, W: 418±35, RTM: 424±38 mmol HP/mol collagen). In women, the overall lower amount of collagen per tendon wet weight may explain gender differences in tendon function, while collagen content and cross-linking of the dry mass are remarkably consistent across gender and training status. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science