Improving healing in damaged tendons through exercise and therapy
Official title: Promoting a reparative instead of a degenerative outcome from loading of fatigue-damaged tendons
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10872731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types of exercise can help or hurt healing in damaged tendons, using rats to learn more about what works best, so we can find ways to make everyday activities better for people with tendon issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $621,703 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR084173-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals suffering from tendon injuries or tendinopathies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute tendon ruptures or those who do not have tendon injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to promote healing in tendons that have suffered fatigue damage, using a rat model to understand the mechanisms behind tendinopathy. The team has discovered that certain types of exercise can either help repair or worsen tendon damage, depending on when they are initiated after injury. By studying the effects of glycosaminoglycans and specific cell responses, the researchers aim to develop therapeutic strategies that can turn everyday activities into healing opportunities for tendons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance tendon healing and improve recovery from injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using exercise as a therapeutic approach for tendon injuries, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andarawis-Puri, Nelly — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Andarawis-Puri, Nelly
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.