The Effect of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Tendon Remodeling during 15 wk of Lower Body Resistance Training

Balshaw TG, Funnell MP, McDermott EJ, Maden-Wilkinson TM, Massey GJ, James LJ, Folland JP · Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

Null on every tendinous measure, with MRI as the outcome measure. Verbatim: 'No between-group differences were detected for any of the tendinous tissue adaptations to RT (ANOVA group-time, 0.365 <= P <= 0.877).' Both groups improved identically, and placebo was numerically higher on every mechanical measure — patellar tendon stiffness +17.3% on collagen vs +20.9% on placebo, Young's modulus +17.8% vs +20.6%.

Population

Young healthy recreationally active men undertaking 15 weeks of standardized lower-body resistance training 3x weekly

Intervention

15 g specific bioactive collagen peptides daily

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

Healthy young men with no tendon pathology, so it tests augmentation of normal training adaptation rather than treatment of an injured tendon. Tendon rather than cartilage. The 15 g was 10 g of Gelita's Bodybalance against 15 g of maltodextrin; the authors declare no conflict of interest and the paper states no funding source.