Hydrolysed Collagen Supplementation Enhances Patellar Tendon Adaptations to 12 Weeks' Resistance Training in Middle-Aged Men

Nulty CD, Phelan K, Erskine RM · European Journal of Sport Science

The first independent trial to find collagen changing tendon mechanics rather than only size, and it moved all three structural measures at once. Patellar tendon cross-sectional area rose 6.8 plus or minus 5.4 mm2 against 1.2 plus or minus 2.1 on placebo (p=0.027), stiffness 661 plus or minus 331 N/mm against 247 plus or minus 305 (p=0.009), and Young's modulus 0.21 plus or minus 0.13 GPa against 0.09 plus or minus 0.13 (p=0.018). Strength and muscle thickness gains did not differ between groups. The authors declare no conflicts of interest, and the dose is 30 g — double the highest dose in the null trials.

Population

Recreationally active men aged 47 plus or minus 5, twice-weekly resistance training

Intervention

30 g hydrolysed collagen with 50 mg vitamin C after each session, 12 weeks (n=9)

Comparator

Placebo (n=11), same training

Limitations

Nine and eleven per arm. Middle-aged recreationally active men only, and healthy tendon, so this is augmentation of a training adaptation rather than repair. Strength did not follow the structural change, so the functional consequence is unestablished. Tendon, not cartilage.