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. Field hockey is a team sport, requiring repeated explosive movements such as sprinting, changing direction, and evading opponents. These movements rely on tendons, which transfer the force produced by skeletal muscle to bone to produce movement. Larger and stiffer tendons allow for more efficient force transfer, which is associated with better performance during explosive tasks. Resistance training is known to increase tendon size and stiffness over time as this form of exercise strains the tendon to a high degree, stimulating adaptation. Because tendons are primarily composed of collagen (the main structural protein in the human body), it has been suggested that consuming dietary collagen may enhance these adaptations. Dietary collagen intake in Western diets is typically less than 5 g/day, and collagen supplementation has become of increasing interest to athletes, sports nutrition practitioners, and researchers. Recent studies show that ingesting 30 g of hydrolyzed collagen (a supplemental form of collagen) before resistance exercise is required to maximize collagen production in middle-aged, resistance-trained men. In addition, collagen supplementation has been shown to enhance tendon adaptation in nonathletic young and middle-aged men and in young athletic women. However, it is unclear whether these findings apply to elite female master athletes, who are underrepresented in research and may respond differently due to age, hormonal status, and training history. We investigated whether ingesting 30 g of hydrolyzed collagen before resistance training could enhance tendon adaptations and explosive exercise performance in elite international female master hockey players. Twenty-two Master athletes from two international squads (over 35s and over 40s), preparing for the 2023 European Championships, were randomly assigned to receive either hydrolyzed collagen or a maltodextrin placebo beverage before each resistance training session. Both beverages were matched for taste and energy content, and importantly, both the participants and the researchers were blinded to group allocation. All participants completed the same lower body resistance training program three times per week for 8 weeks, focusing on slow, controlled eccentric movements. We measured changes in muscle thickness, patellar tendon cross-sectional area (CSA), jump performance, and multijoint strength and explosive performance and assessed via the peak rate of force development. Both groups improved muscle strength and size similarly. However, the collagen group showed greater increases in patellar tendon cross-sectional area and peak rate of force development. These findings suggest that collagen supplementation may have provided additional raw materials or stimulated greater collagen synthesis, leading to enhanced tendon adaptations. Although tendon stiffness was not directly measured, the increase in tendon size likely reflects improved stiffness, which may explain the greater improvements in explosive performance in the collagen group. This study is the first to examine the effects of collagen supplementation combined with resistance training on tendon adaptations and explosive performance in elite female master athletes. These findings suggest that collagen supplementation may be a useful strategy to support performance and tendon health in this underresearched population.