Effects of HMB and Rehabilitation Program in Athletes With Patellar Tendinopathy (NCT07466407) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of HMB and Rehabilitation Program in Athletes With Patellar Tendinopathy
Spain30 participantsStarted 2026-03-01
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 49 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 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
Exclusion Criteria:
* Any musculoskeletal injury other than patellar tendinopathy affecting performance
* Systemic disease affecting musculoskeletal function
* Inability to comply with the rehabilitation or supplementation protocol
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
VISA-P Score
Timeframe: Baseline (PRE), Week 4 (INT), and Week 8 (POST)