Tendon collagen synthesis declines with immobilization in elderly humans: no effect of anti-inflammatory medication.

In elderly humans, 2 wk of inactivity reduces tendon collagen protein synthesis, while tendon stiffness and modulus are only marginally reduced, and NSAID treatment does not affect this. This indicates that mechanical loading is important for maintenance of tendon collagen turnover and that changes in collagen turnover induced by short-term immobilization may only have minor impact on the internal structures that are essential for mechanical properties in elderly tendons.