Abstract: Objective:Study of the bio-mechanical properties on human lower leg tendon provides theoretical basis for injury prevention, repair and artificial materials replacement. Methods:The Zwick universal material testing machine from Germany was used to conduct one dimensional destructive test on 9 kinds of tendon from 72 cases of adult fresh lower leg, and the experimental data were statistically analyzed. Results:(1) When the Strain falls in the 0 ~ 5% range, which is the “toe region” of the curve, the deformation changes little with the tensile stress. In the 8% ~ 16% strain range, which is the “Linear region” of the curve, the tensile stress increases with the strain increase. When the deformation reaches around 20%, tensile stress decreases with increasing strain. (2) There is no significant difference in the ultimate strain indicators among the 9 kinds of tendon, while the ultimate stress indicators of the Achilles tendon is significantly smaller than that of the extensor tendon, the flexor tendon, and the hallux longus tendon(P<0.05).(3) There are significant differences between the tensile stiffness and elastic modulus for some of the 9 kinds of tendon. (P<0.05) Conclusion: (1) There is little difference in the stress vs. strain curves for 9 kinds of lower leg tendon, and the curves are basically the same as those for the forearm tendon, which shows that the tendons of the main structure in the dense connective tissue are basically the same. (2) The difference of the limit strain indexes of the leg tendon is not obvious, so it is concluded that the ability of the calf tendon to resist the maximum load is basically the same. Because of the large area of the Achilles tendon, the stress is scattered, so the ultimate stress is the least.(3) The tensile stiffness of the Achilles tendon is large, which, in perspective of the biological material mechanics , ensures that the ankle joint can withstand the the back flexion movement of high frequency, high intensity and great amplitude. (4) Strong muscle belly produces elastic deformation mainly through the muscle contraction force, while tendon with smaller belly muscle meets the needs of the function mainly through its own elastic deformation capacity.

Key words: Lower Leg Tendon, Stretch Experiment, Bio-mechanical Properties