Effects of HMB and Rehabilitation Program in Athletes With Patellar Tendinopathy

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Patellar Tendinopathy

In brief

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluates the effects of oral beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation combined with an eccentric exercise and extracorporeal shockwave rehabilitation program on pain, tendon morphology, and neuromuscular performance in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. Thirty athletes with a confirmed diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy are randomized to receive either HMB supplementation (3 g/day) or placebo during an 8-week rehabilitation program. Participants are evaluated at baseline, week 4, and week 8. The primary outcome is pain and functional limitation assessed using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include patellar tendon thickness measured by ultrasound imaging, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and neuromuscular performance variables derived from an incremental squat test using a linear position transducer. The aim of the study is to determine whether HMB supplementation enhances clinical recovery and neuromuscular performance when combined with a standardized rehabilitation program compared with placebo.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07466407

Run by

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

People needed

30

Starts

2026-03-01

Expected to finish

2026-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 49. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age between 18 and 49 years
• Clinical diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy confirmed by a physician and physiotherapist
• Competitive athlete in sports involving repetitive knee loading (e.g., basketball, volleyball, handball, athletics)
• Minimum training frequency of three sessions per week
• No knee surgery within the previous 12 months
• No nutritional supplementation within the previous 3 months
• No injection therapy (analgesics or platelet-rich plasma) within the previous 12 months
• Non-smoker
• Signed informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Any musculoskeletal injury other than patellar tendinopathy affecting performance
• Systemic disease affecting musculoskeletal function
• Inability to comply with the rehabilitation or supplementation protocol

Where it is running

• Clínica Fisio-Agil — Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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