Load magnitude affects patellar tendon mechanical properties but not collagen or collagen cross-linking after long-term strength training in older adults

Table 4 Collagen and collagen cross-links

	CON		MRT		HRT
	0 mths (n = 10)	12 mths (n = 10)	0 mths (n = 13)	12 mths (n = 13)	0 mths (n = 9)^a	12 mths (n = 9)^a
Collagen (%)	69 ± 3	62 ± 2	61 ± 4	59 ± 2	63 ± 3	61 ± 2
HP (mmol/mol collagen)^b	298 ± 28	322 ± 25	314 ± 23	267 ± 21	254 ± 28	292 ± 22
LP (mmol/mol collagen)^b	24.8 ± 5.0	26.5 ± 3.8	40.8 ± 4.4	28.8 ± 5.1	37.0 ± 5.9	34.3 ± 3.2
Fluorescence (AU/mol collagen)^‡	1139 [1096–1185]	1235 [1176–1297]	1155 [1124–1187]	1196 [1161–1232]	1263 [1191–1339]	1328 [1285–1372]

Values are means ±SE or geometric mean [lower limit – upper limit]. Data analyzed by repeated measures two-way ANOVA with baseline adjustment and Tukey-Kramer post hoc test
CON = Control, MRT = moderate load resistance training, HRT = Heavy load resistance training
No time x group interactions. ‡: Main effect of time (p < 0.05)
^aOne missing sample due to anti-coagulant therapy. ^bFive missing pairs of samples due to logistics
CON: n = 9, MRT: n = 11, HRT: n = 8

ISSN: 1471-2318