Tendon and Ligament Structure

Tendons connect muscle to bone and transmit the force of contraction into movement; ligaments connect bone to bone and stabilise joints, guiding and limiting their motion.

Neither is an inert strap. Energy-storing tendons store and return elastic energy, both tissues contribute to proprioception, and both adapt to the loads placed on them.

For sport and exercise medicine (SEM), their structure and behaviour under load explain why tendons develop overuse pain and heal slowly, how ligament sprains destabilise a joint, and why both need loading-based rehabilitation.