Collagen Supplementation Augments Strength Training-Induced Gains in Tendon Size and Rate of Force Development in Elite Female Master Field Hockey Athletes

We investigated the effects of 8-weeks of eccentric resistance exercise (RE) with hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area (CSA), vastus lateralis (VL) muscle size, maximum voluntary force (MVF), and peak rate of force development (pRFD) in international female field hockey Master athletes. Twenty-two premenopausal women (37 ± 2 years, 68.9 ± 8.0 kg, and 1.68 ± 0.04 m) were randomly assigned to collagen (COL; n = 10) and placebo (PLA; n = 12) cohorts in a triple-blind design. They completed three eccentric RE sessions per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular hockey training. Before each RE session, participants ingested 30 g hydrolyzed COL or 32.9 g maltodextrin (PLA), together with 500 mg vitamin C. Pre- and postintervention, we assessed MVF and pRFD during a voluntary multijoint isometric muscle contraction and countermovement jump height, and VL thickness and PT CSA were measured with ultrasonography. MVF increased from 892 ± 366 to 1,011 ± 420 N (p = .020) and VL thickness increased from 21 ± 3 to 22 ± 3 mm (p = .015), with no Group × Time interactions (p > .05), whereas countermovement jump height did not change (p = .238). PT CSA increased in both groups (p < .001) but more in COL (116 ± 12 to 121 ± 13 mm2) than PLA (109 ± 22 to 111 ± 22 mm2, p = .014). Similarly, pRFD increased in both groups (p = .002) but more in COL (7.9 ± 1.3 to 10.1 ± 2.4 kN/s) than PLA (8.2 ± 2.4 to 9.6 ± 2.9 kN/s, p = .039). Therefore, hydrolyzed collagen supplementation enhanced gains in PT CSA and pRFD following 8 weeks of eccentric RE in elite female field hockey Master athletes, thus providing an effective strategy to improve physical performance in this underresearched population.