(A) Following exercise training (T), animals had their right Achilles tendon transected and plantaris removed. Injured tendons were either repaired (R) or left non-repaired (NR). Animals then returned to activity after 1-week (IM1/ACT5), 3-weeks (IM3/ACT3), or 6-weeks (IM6/ACT0) of cast immobilization (IM) prior to sacrifice (X) at 6-weeks. (B) An additional cohort of animals was randomized into R and NR groups, immobilized for 1-week (IM1/ACT0), and sacrificed at 1-week post-injury.
Key: R- repaired; NR- not repaired; T- treadmill training; IM- immobilization; CA- cage activity; EX-exercise; X- sacrifice.