Muscles are visible, and therefore we pay the most attention to them during exercise. However, the musculoskeletal system also consists of tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other connective tissues. It is precisely these that transmit force, stabilize joints and help the body cope with stress.
Most people only start dealing with them when pain or restricted movement appears. However, problems often arise gradually due to long-term overload, lack of movement or insufficient regeneration.
You sit for five days, then go all out on the weekend
A typical problem is a sedentary work week followed by intense weekend sports. All week minimal movement, then running, football, cycling, mountains or heavy training in the gym.
Muscles can sometimes cope with sudden stress, but tendons, ligaments and joint structures adapt more slowly. Therefore, a sudden increase in the intensity or duration of movement can lead to overload.
Connective tissues like gradualness, not shock therapy like: office all week and Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday.
Regularity is more important than extreme performance
For long-term sustainable sport, regular movement and gradual increase in load is more suitable than one extreme performance per week.
Warm-up, regeneration, quality sleep, balanced diet and respecting pain as a warning signal also play an important role.
Care of the musculoskeletal system should therefore not only focus on muscles. Also think about tendons, ligaments, cartilage and joints.
Collagen supports the nutrition of joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, and makes the most sense as part of long-term care for the entire musculoskeletal system.