Fluid shear is the sole driver of mechanotransduction in tendons; tensile and compressive strain have no adaptive outcome.

Shear, tensile, and compressive forces trigger cellular signalling in tenocytes and the interfascicular matrix, leading to matrix remodelling and adaptation—particularly if peak strain and time under tension exceed physiological thresholds over repeated bouts.

Only tensile forces are significant for tendon adaptation since tenocyte mechanosensitivity does not respond to compressive or shear forces.

All force types act exclusively on the solid collagen phase, stimulating immediate hypertrophy with no signalling to the extracellular matrix.