Rethink Your Training: Dr. Keith Baar’s Research on Tendons Could Change Everything

Why Tendons Might Be the Missing Link in Your Performance Plan

What you'll learn in this article:
✅ Why traditional training may neglect a key performance tissue
✅ The science behind tendon adaptation (vs. muscle)
✅ How tendon stiffness affects sprinting, jumping, and injury risk
✅ Dr. Keith Barr’s proven strategies for training tendons
✅ Nutrition and recovery tips for tendon health
✅ Why personalised tendon training beats one-size-fits-all programs
✅ How tendons impact rehab, performance testing, and long-term success

Context:

In the pursuit of peak performance, many athletes and coaches focus almost entirely on building muscle. But research by Dr. Keith Baar, a world leader in tendon science, is shifting that perspective. His findings reveal that tendon health and adaptation are just as critical, if not more, than muscle strength when it comes to speed, power, resilience, and injury prevention.

Whether you're an athlete looking to level up, a coach designing smarter programs, or a parent supporting a young athlete, this article breaks down the science and delivers practical tools to train smarter, not just harder.

When we think of boosting athletic performance, whether it's running faster, jumping higher, or getting stronger, most people picture intense gym sessions and bigger muscles. But what if the real secret weapon isn’t muscle at all?

According to world-leading researcher Dr. Keith Baar, your tendons might be the key you’ve been missing.

Muscles Adapt Fast. Tendons Take Time.

Traditional strength programs focus on muscle development. And while muscles can adapt in just weeks, tendons are much slower to respond, often taking months to truly strengthen.

That mismatch in adaptation speed is a common reason why young athletes hit plateaus, develop nagging tendon injuries, or never quite unlock their full speed and jump potential.

Why Tendon Stiffness is the Game-Changer

Tendons aren’t just passive connectors. They’re force-transferring springs that link muscle to bone. The right amount of tendon stiffness allows you to:

• Sprint faster

• Jump higher

• Move more efficiently with less wasted energy

But the balance is critical:
🔸 Too little stiffness, and you lose force
🔸 Too much, and you're at risk of strains, pulls, or even tendon ruptures

So how do we build resilient tendons that perform without breaking down?

How to Train Tendons for Power, Speed & Longevity

Dr. Barr’s cutting-edge research outlines a smarter way to train tendons. Here’s what that looks like:

✅ Slow Isometrics (Holds)
Controlled tension without movement helps safely stimulate tendon adaptation

✅ Eccentric Loading (Slow Lowering Phases)
Strengthens tendons and muscles simultaneously, reducing injury risk

✅ Smart Plyometrics
Not just jumping, but teaching tendons to store and release energy like springs

✅ Targeted Nutrition
Taking collagen and vitamin C about 45 to 60 minutes before tendon-focused sessions supports repair and regeneration

Pro tip: These strategies aren’t just for rehab. They’re even more powerful when used before injuries happen, as part of a complete athletic development plan.

Why Personalised Tendon Training Matters

Every athlete is built differently.

Some naturally have stiffer, more elastic tendons and excel at sprinting and explosive jumps. Others may have looser connective tissue and need more structure and specific strength work to build the same resilience.

That means cookie-cutter programs don’t work. Real results come from understanding your body’s individual profile and tailoring your training accordingly.

Want to Jump Higher? Tendons Are the Key

Struggling to improve your vertical? You might be focusing too much on muscle and not enough on tendon function.

Well-trained tendons act like loaded springs, storing and releasing energy efficiently. The better your tendon function, the more height you’ll gain, not by working harder, but by training smarter.

Tendons in Rehab and Injury Prevention

Dr. Baar’s findings are revolutionising injury recovery too. Key takeaways:

1. Start Loading Early (Safely)
   Don’t just rest an injury, use isometric holds to start rebuilding strength

2. Train Around the Injury
   Use intelligent load strategies to stay strong and avoid shutdown

3. Don’t Skip Off-Season Loading
   Time off with no tendon stress is a recipe for problems later

Recovery and Nutrition: Underrated Tools for Better Tendons

Recovery isn’t just about sleep, though deep, quality sleep is essential. It’s also about what you fuel your body with.

➡️ Collagen and Vitamin C: Taken pre-training, these support tendon healing
➡️ Load Management: Balance intensity with adequate rest
➡️ Sleep and Stress: Give your body the environment it needs to adapt

Are We Measuring the Right Things?

Most athletes test strength, speed, and jump height. But how often do we assess tendon health?

At Athlete’s Edge, we’re changing that. With force plate testing, isometric strength assessments, and movement profiling, we can detect dysfunction before it leads to injury and optimise your training accordingly.

The Future of Performance Is Here

Dr. Keith Baar’s research has flipped the script. And at Athlete’s Edge, we’ve been putting these insights into action across youth development and elite performance.

The result:
✔️ Fewer Injuries
✔️ Faster Sprints
✔️ Higher Jumps
✔️ More Resilient Athletes

Want to Know How Your Tendons Are Really Performing?

Book your Performance Assessment today and find out how your tendons and your body are built to move. We’ll provide you with:

🔍 Personalised Testing
📊 Performance Insights
⚠️ Injury Risk Profiling

👉 Ready to unlock your athletic potential?
[Book Your Assessment Now]