Magdalena Hagner-Derengowska

The tenocyte builds, maintains, senses and degrades one of the most mechanically demanding extracellular matrices in vertebrates, yet the chemical, physical, biological and mathematical descriptions of this system have developed in largely separate literatures. This review examines the tenocyte–matrix unit as a single causal system spanning eight orders of magnitude in length, organised around five transitions: from collagen chemistry to molecular mechanics; from molecule to fibril and fascicle; from tissue loading to the cellular mechanical stimulus; from stimulus to transcription; and from cellular output back to matrix composition. At each transition, we weigh competing hypotheses, identify where evidence is decisive and where it remains correlative, and state the governing equations. We integrate advances from 2021–2026, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomic atlases of human tendons, the establishment of PIEZO1 as a causal regulator of tendon stiffness, and microstructurally derived constitutive models. We argue that tendon homeostasis is a closed-loop control problem, formalised as a mechanostat with an inverted-U dose–response, and that the recurrent pathologies of tendon-tendinopathy, ageing, diabetic stiffening and fibrotic healing are failures of this loop rather than of any single component. An open-source computational companion (tenocyte-virtual-cell) is introduced, and a prioritised research agenda closes the review.

Contrast heat-cold showering is popular for recovery, but multisystem evidence and persistence after cessation remain unclear. To evaluate whether a 4-week post-training contrast heat-cold shower intervention produces an integrated recovery profile across four domains (autonomic, endocrine, perceptual, and microvascular) rather than testing a single isolated physiological pathway, across baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 2-week wash-out (T2). Sixty combat-sport athletes were randomized to contrast showers (10 min alternating warm 38-40°C and cold 13-15°C) or an active thermoneutral-shower comparator (10 min, 32-34°C) after training for 4 weeks. Primary analyses were per-protocol (≥ 75% compliance; n = 57), with intention-to-treat sensitivity analyses. Outcomes were Total Quality Recovery (TQR), morning salivary cortisol (two mornings averaged), resting HRV, and post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). From T0 to T1, favorable between-group changes were observed for resting HR (ΔΔ -2.10 bpm, 95% CI -2.24 to -1.96; g -0.65; p < 0.001), lnRMSSD (ΔΔ 0.123 log units, 95% CI 0.108 to 0.137; g 0.74; p < 0.001), with similar T1 effects for RMSSD and SDNN, and TQR (ΔΔ 0.61 points, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.95; g 0.80; p < 0.001). These T1 autonomic and perceptual changes were not maintained at T2 (all T2-T0 ΔΔ p > 0.05). Cortisol and PORH-derived outcomes showed no statistically clear between-group differences at T1 or T2 (all p > 0.05). Compared with thermoneutral showering, 4 weeks of post-training contrast heat-cold showering produced short-term favorable between-group changes in autonomic regulation and perceived recovery, but not in morning cortisol or PORH-derived microvascular reactivity. These effects were not maintained after wash-out; therefore, causal attribution to the shower intervention alone and claims of persistent physiological adaptation should be made cautiously. Trial registration: ISRCTN15418049.

The knee is a mechanically demanding synovial organ in which joint loading, tissue deformation, cellular mechanotransduction and matrix turnover are coupled. This narrative review critically links those scales and asks where the evidence is sufficiently mature for mechanistic or clinical inference. PubMed/MEDLINE and Europe PMC were searched from database inception to 20 July 2026 using structured terms for knee biomechanics, cartilage and osteochondral mechanobiology, finite element modelling, mechanosensitive channels, osteoarthritis, machine learning and digital twins. Landmark studies were selected for foundational models, while recent studies were prioritised for causal experiments, validation and translation. Instrumented implants show that common activities generate tibiofemoral forces of several times body weight, but tissue-level exposure also depends on muscle co-contraction, geometry and material properties. Biphasic and fibril-reinforced models explain how those loads become stress, strain, fluid pressure and osmotic signals. At the cell scale, TRPV4 and PIEZO1/2 participate in overlapping, context-dependent calcium signalling rather than a universal protective–pathological binary; most causal evidence remains preclinical. Osteoarthritis is therefore framed as a mechanically amplified feedback process involving cartilage, bone, synovium and systemic modifiers. Computational degeneration models and machine-learning surrogates are increasingly informative, although prospective validation, parameter identifiability and uncertainty propagation remain limiting. The review’s added value is an explicit transmission-and-validation framework that connects whole-joint observables to molecular responses while labelling the evidence source and translational readiness at every step.

Objective: To evaluate whether post-exercise compression garments improve subsequent endurance performance and delayed-onset or perceived muscle soreness in adult endurance athletes. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science through 19 May 2026 for controlled intervention studies comparing post-exercise compression garments with no compression, usual clothing, sham/placebo, passive recovery, or lower-pressure controls. RoB 2 and GRADE assessed risk of bias and certainty. Soreness was synthesized as Hedges g using random-effects models with Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman inference; performance was synthesized narratively. The protocol was registered in Open Science Framework (osf.io/46ck9). Results: Of 503 records screened, nine studies were included (158 participants; six crossover, three parallel-group). All studies included in the final evidence base were randomized parallel-group or crossover trials. Ten of 11 assessments were high risk. At approximately 24 hours, soreness favored compression but was uncertain (four studies; Hedges g = 0.62, 95% CI -0.57 to 1.82; I ² = 74.0%). Immediate-to-2-hour acute post-exercise perceived soreness/discomfort was also uncertain (three studies; g = 0.38, 95% CI -0.67 to 1.42; I ² = 51.0%). Performance findings were not pooled because of heterogeneity or non-isolatable recovery effects. Certainty was very low. Conclusions: Soreness estimates were directionally favorable to compression, but the evidence was very uncertain, statistically imprecise, and vulnerable to expectation effects because blinding was limited or poorly credible. Effects on subsequent endurance performance remain unresolved. Registration: OSF osf.io/46ck9 on 14/05/2026. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/b3c78/overview , identifier osf.io/46ck9.

To compare ischemic preconditioning (IPC), cold compression (CC), and passive recovery on acute and short-term recovery after plyometric fatigue in CrossFit athletes. In this randomized repeated-measures trial, 60 athletes were allocated 1:1:1 to IPC, CC, or control. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-exercise, 24, 48, 72 h, 7 d, and 14 d. Tissue perfusion was the primary confirmatory endpoint. Creatine kinase, reactive strength index, Total Quality Recovery, Borg CR10, and lactate dehydrogenase were secondary recovery-domain outcomes interpreted as supportive and hypothesis-generating rather than as independently confirmatory endpoints. Group-by-time interactions were significant for outcomes (all p < 0.001). At 14 d, resting superficial cutaneous/subcutaneous perfusion was higher in IPC than control by 1.94 PU (95% CI, 1.81-2.07; g = 2.98) and in CC than control by 0.88 PU (95% CI, 0.75-1.01; g = 1.35). Creatine kinase was lower in IPC and CC versus control at 72 h (geometric mean ratios, 0.58 and 0.55; both p < 0.001). CC improved reactive strength index versus control at 72 h (0.15 m·s - 1; 95% CI, 0.07-0.24; p = 0.009) and Total Quality Recovery at 14 d (3.28 points; 95% CI, 2.90-3.66; p < 0.001). IPC and CC produced domain-specific recovery benefits, namely IPC showed the clearest resting superficial cutaneous/subcutaneous perfusion signal, whereas CC most consistently improved perceived recovery and transient neuromuscular recovery. These findings should not be interpreted as direct evidence of endothelial function, nitric-oxide-mediated vascular adaptation, or deep muscle perfusion.Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN49499065 date: 23/06/2025.

Objective: To determine whether contrast therapy improves recovery after climbing-specific forearm fatigue in amateur climbers. Methods: In a randomized repeated-measures trial, 40 climbers were allocated to passive recovery (n = 20) or Game Ready contrast therapy (n = 20). Both groups completed a fixed-task intermittent fingerboard protocol on a 20 mm edge using a half-crimp grip, with 7 s of work and 3 s of rest for five sets; the load was not individualized to climbing-specific maximal finger-flexor force. The intervention group received bilateral forearm treatment consisting of alternating 1 min cold (3 °C) and heat (45 °C) phases combined with pneumatic compression ranging from 15 to 75 mmHg. Sessions lasted 20 min and were administered immediately after post-fatigue testing, at 24 h and 48 h, and then three times weekly on alternate days for 8 weeks, for a total of 27 sessions. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after fatigue, at 24 h and 48 h, and after 8 weeks. Outcomes included perfusion, reactive hyperemia, stiffness, pressure pain threshold, grip strength, perceived recovery, creatine kinase, and interleukin-6. Results: Immediate post-fatigue responses were comparable. Contrast therapy produced greater 24 h and 48 h resting perfusion responses (+7.28 percentage points, 95% CI 6.58 to 7.98; +7.62, 95% CI 6.94 to 8.31; both adjusted p < 0.001). At week 8, peak hyperemic perfusion improved more with contrast therapy (+6.21 PU, 95% CI 5.62 to 6.79; p < 0.001). Recovery favored contrast therapy for stiffness at 48 h (−71.7 N/m, 95% CI −75.6 to −67.8), pressure pain threshold at week 8 (+8.1 N/cm², 95% CI 7.3 to 8.8), and grip strength at 48 h (+7.8 kgf, 95% CI 7.3 to 8.3; all p < 0.001). CK and IL-6 differences were transient, and no serious adverse events or intervention-related discontinuations were recorded. Conclusions: Contrast therapy was associated with more favorable cutaneous perfusion, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia-derived, and neuromechanical recovery outcomes, whereas biochemical differences were limited and time-dependent. The vascular findings do not establish improved endothelial function or nitric-oxide-mediated vasodilation because these mechanisms were not directly assessed. Trial registration: ISRCTN49499065 on 23 June 2025.

Physical activity is a key element of a healthy lifestyle and the quality of human functioning at every stage of life. Despite thewidespread availability of knowledge about its health-promoting effects, the level of physical activity in the population remains insufficient.The aim of this article is to analyze the motives for engaging in physical activity and the barriers that hinder its regular participation in variousage groups, as well as to assess the relationship between activity levels and selected socio-demographic factors. The study was quantitative innature and was conducted using a diagnostic survey method using a proprietary online questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted usingdescriptive statistics and nonparametric statistical tests. The obtained results indicate significant differences in the structure of motives forengaging in physical activity between age groups. In younger groups, aesthetic and social motives dominated, while in older groups, healthand functional motives dominated. The most frequently reported barriers were lack of time, work-related fatigue, and health problems. Thestudy's conclusions emphasize the need to differentiate physical activity promotion activities depending on age and life situation.

This study evaluated the effects of lymphatic drainage (LD) and intense sports massage (IM) on muscle recovery after eccentric quadriceps exercise in combat sports athletes. Thirty-six athletes (24 men, 12 women; mean age 27.4 ± 4.1 years) were randomized into three groups: LD, IM, or Control. After a fatigue-inducing plyometric jump protocol, the LD and IM groups received six 30-minute recovery sessions over 72 h, while the Control group rested passively. Athletes were assessed at five time points—pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and a 24, 48, and 72 h—measuring perfusion (PU, Power Doppler Score), pressure pain threshold (PPT), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), creatine kinase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and perceived recovery (TQR scale). Both IM and LD groups showed significantly greater increase in PPT at 24, 48, and 72 h compared to controls (p = 0.004–p < 0.001–0.026). LD also led to lower creatine kinase and CRP levels (p < 0.001–0.017). In conclusion, LD and IM enhanced muscle recovery after intense exercise, with LD showing stronger effects on pain, inflammation, and IM improving tissue perfusion. Clinical trial registration: Registered as a clinical trial under the number ISRCTN10033645.

Background/Objectives: With the expansion of telemedicine, it is essential to determine whether the telephone administration of validated disability measures yields results equivalent to face-to-face interviews in older adults. We aimed to compare the agreement between face-to-face and telephone administration of the 36-item WHODAS 2.0 in a community-dwelling population aged ≥60 years. Methods: The study was a randomised, open-label, cross-over design involving 239 people aged ≥60 from south-eastern Poland. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: G1 (face-to-face interview first, then telephone interview) and G2 (in the reverse order). The interval between interviews was an average of 14.3 ± 1.3 days. The full version of WHODAS 2.0 (excluding domain D5.2) was used. Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess the consistency of the results. Results: A total of 203 individuals completed both surveys. The agreement between responses for individual items ranged from 85.71% to 98.03% (κ = 0.788–0.947). The WHODAS 2.0 total score showed very high agreement between face-to-face and telephone interviews (ICC = 0.986). All domains showed high or very high agreement (ICC = 0.953–0.967). Bland–Altman analysis confirmed high agreement—only 5.42% of results fell outside the 95% limits of agreement. Conclusions: Telephone interviews are a reliable alternative to face-to-face interviews when using the 36-item WHODAS 2.0 in older adults. Both methods provide comparable and reliable results, confirming the usefulness of telephone interviews in clinical practice and screening, especially when access to in-person healthcare is limited.