Technical Abstract: This book chapter summarizes the current state of knowledge of meat tenderness and the antemortem and postmortem strategies that can be used to influence meat tenderness. Tenderness is critical to the consumer acceptance of meat products. Numerous antemortem and postmortem factors can impact tenderness, both positively and negatively. Therefore, antemortem and postmortem management decisions must be made carefully. Recent advances in the development of genetic markers for use in selection decisions are encouraging. Meanwhile, antemortem management should strive to optimize efficiency and palatability traits. Tenderness prediction technology can be used to segregate carcasses into product lines. Additionally, postmortem strategies can be used singularly or in concert to further ensure the eating quality of muscle foods.