Final answer:
Following strength training, tendons and ligaments become stronger and more durable, contributing to the muscle mass and enhancing muscle containment. However, improper training techniques can lead to overuse injuries, tendon damage, and skeletal injuries. Proper technique and recovery periods are essential for safe strength training.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following strength training, tendons and ligaments undergo several changes. Resistance training specifically leads to the development of connective tissue within the muscle, adding to the muscle mass and enhancing the containment of muscles as they produce more powerful contractions over time. This includes an increase in the number of sarcomeres and myofibrils in a skeletal muscle. Moreover, tendons become stronger, which is essential to prevent tendon damage since they transfer the force produced by muscles to the bones.
However, if strength training is done improperly, there is a risk of overuse injuries to the muscles, tendons, or bones. Such injuries can stem from carrying loads that are too heavy, insufficient recovery time between workouts, or improper joint alignment during exercises. Cellular damage to muscle fibers, including the sarcolemma and myofibrils, may also occur, leading to soreness post-exercise, with subsequent healing contributing to muscle hypertrophy. Excessive training can also lead to tendon damage and skeletal injuries.
Consequently, while tendons and ligaments become stronger and more durable with proper strength training, they can be susceptible to injuries through overtraining, excessive force, or improper technique. This highlights the importance of correct training methods and the role of muscles acting as "dynamic ligaments" to indirectly support joints, especially in areas where ligaments are relatively weak, such as the shoulder joint.