1. Stretch-induced muscle injury results in the damage that causes reduced force and increased membrane permeability. This muscle damage is caused, in part, by ionic entry through stretch-activated channels and blocking these channels with Gd3+ or streptomycin reduces the force deficit associated with damage. 2. Dystrophin-deficient muscles are more susceptible to stretch-induced muscle injury and the recovery from injury can be incomplete. We have found that Na+ entry associated with stretch-induced injury is enhanced in dystrophin-deficient muscles and that blockers of stretch-activated channels are capable of preventing ionic entry and reducing muscle damage. 3. A model is presented that proposes links between stretch-induced injury, opening of stretch-activated channels, increased levels of intracellular ions and various forms of muscle damage. Although changes in Na+ accompany stretch-induced muscle injury, we believe that changes in Ca2+ probably have a more central role in the damage process.