i just recovered from Achilles tendinitis in both my legs. I know that tendons arnt really muscles in their own right but is it possible that after a successful recovery that my tendons will be stronger? Im not suggesting that one should condone over training tendons to this point. my question is that as your body adapts to certain levels of stress, can your tendons become stronger in the way that muscles do? what's an effective way to strengthen said tendons? I'm sure responsible increases in distance and intensity would due but im asking if there is specific weight training that could prepare my extremities for increased levels of stress.

If the answer is so obvious i would like to contribute through my own experience that you really need to take a "full spectrum work-out" into consideration. (weight lifting/swimming/running/stretching)

Hmm, interesting question i've always wondered the same.

Im pretty sure as muscles grow stronger, so do tendons. The muscles will move the bone harder/faster and the tendons should adapt to the muscle growth... i think? Maybe i'm just talking out of my butt.. it seems to make sense though. Hey, trust me, i've got two semesters of Highschool human anatomy under my belt =]

Gentlemen, Gentlemen,

what are you both talking about???? Ever heard of Wikipedia? Please type TENDONITIS and you will see this:

Tendonitis (also tenonitis or tendinitis) is an inflammation of a tendon. For example, Achilles tendonitis.

Chronic overuse of tendons leads to microscopic tears within the collagen matrix, which gradually weakens the tissue. Swelling in a region of microdamage or partial tear can be detected visually or by palpation.

Due to their highly specialised ultrastructure and slow collagen turnover, tendons and ligaments are very slow to heal if injured, and rarely regain their original strength. Partial tears heal by the rapid production of disorganised type-III collagen, which is inferior in strength to normal tendon. Recurrence of injury in the damaged region of tendon is common.

Stretch!