Specific collagen peptides increase adaptions of patellar tendon morphology following 14-weeks of high-load resistance training: A randomized-controlled trial

Jerger S, Centner C, Lauber B, Seynnes O, Friedrich T, Lolli D, Gollhofer A, König D · European Journal of Sport Science

Patellar tendon cross-sectional area increased more on collagen than placebo at 60% and 70% of tendon length from the proximal insertion. The rest of the trial was null: tendon stiffness, muscle cross-sectional area and maximal strength all rose, equally, in both groups. Same signature as the Achilles trial from the same group — the tendon got bigger without measurably performing better.

Population

Healthy, moderately active men completing 14 weeks of knee-extensor resistance training at 70-85% of one-rep max

Intervention

5 g specific collagen peptides daily

Comparator

5 g placebo, same training

Limitations

Healthy young men with no tendon pathology, so this tests augmentation of a normal training adaptation. Regional cross-sectional area is a positive result at two of several measurement sites. Registered as DRKS00029244. The independent 15-week MRI trial (pmid-37436929) found no between-group difference in patellar tendon size, which is where this trial's positive result sits; on stiffness the two agree.