Even if there was'nt a risk of injury I would say that many people would'nt train with the HIT format because it is extremely hard to apply constantly. Regarding injury from HIT training this is most likely due to form compromises and using weight that is too heavy at the time. Another factor that many HIT trainees don't apply (including Yates) is to add more rest days as the body gets stronger.
In Yates case I think the injuries were due to not adding the rest days, compromising on form, and maybe steroid use (Steroids allow muscle growth to outpace tendon integrity: I was told this by my orthopedist).
I have been using a high intensity type format, very similiar to Yates style for about 17 years. I have had a few injuries, namely a quad tendon rupture from slipping doing barbell lunges, and a achilles tendon rupture from heavy single leg calf raises. Both injuries have fully recovered, meaning that I have full capicty now and no pain.
High volume trainees incure a host of injuries as well, how many people have bum shoulders, knees, wrist, and elbow issues from training high volume, a lot.
Do you have to train extremely high intensity to make the best progress? I would say at some point in your training yes, all the time obviously no. I think that the majority of people on the planet would respond better (bigger muscles and more strength) training in a Yates type fashion than in Arnolds or any high volume method.
Want a result producing technique without high injury risk then apply the techniques in the book "Beyond Brawn"
..spoken like a true HITite!...lol, just messin witcha. But come on, you're going by a lot of the same things that have been spewed by HIT lovers everywhere. Here's where your logic fails..
...your physio guy told you muscles grow faster than tendons...well everybody should know that. Steroids alone will accelerate the inbalances that can cause to injury by tears and such.
While I've used moderate sets and reps, the only injuries I've endured are some pesky joint issues...tendonitis and such. You've suffered two MAJOR injuries, friend, yet you still believe "most people would respond better to HIT style training"....man, you've got to rethink your advice! A quad tear and a RUPTURED Achilles are not "minor" injuries..in many cases, they alter your training style IMMEDIATELY. Tendonitis over those 2 ANYDAY.
The facts that Yates didn't employ enough Menzter "rest days" is true, but you should also know that to maintain Yate's incredible bulk, he couldn't add those rest days and still grow...the atrophy would set in, as it does on roids or any other method, after taking such amounts of time off. Who is to say that with those rest days added Yates would not have had the triceps tears?
All trainers, regardless of their training styles, flirt with injury daily. It just seem that HIT brings those injuries on faster, and with more severity...in proportion to their gains, and risk factor overall.
My 2 cents. Hope you stay injury free in the future, dude.