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Thomas Röhler, 27 years old, is a professional javelin thrower who competes at the very highest level. As a former Olympic (2016) and European champion (2018), his personal best measures a world-class distance of 93.90 m. Now, with his sights set on competing at the World Championships (2019) and Olympia (2020), he’s looking to optimize his training plan and focus on achieving even more.

“For some time now,” he explains, “I’ve included fascia training as an integral part of my preparations.” Fascia training includes sports activities and movement exercises that attempt to improve the functional properties of the muscular connective tissues in the human body. “My trainer and I have been looking for methods and ways to boost the structure of these connective tissues for maximum performance.” Plus, he adds: “In addition to different training methods and programs, we also try to take a holistic view of the sport and incorporate both nutrition and products that might facilitate recovery.”

Thomas explains that he’s been taking professional advice from two experts: Prof. Dr Martin Fischer from the University of Jena, who’s been providing guidance in terms of movement and motion, and Dr Robert Schleip, a human biologist, psychologist and Director of the Global Fascia Research Group and international Fascia Research Society board member. Based on their combined knowledge, Dr Schleip suggested using TENDOFORTE^® supplementation to improve Thomas’s training.

Launched in 2018, TENDOFORTE^® is a recent addition to GELITA’s range of Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP^®s). Optimized to strengthen tendons and ligaments and shown by product-specific research to reduce the incidence of sports injuries and accelerate return-to-play, TENDOFORTE^® acts both as a preventive nutritional intervention for tendon and ligament problems and overuse injuries. It also helps injured athletes to get back to their former performance levels quicker and more safely.

Thomas’s recent training has focused both on increasing throw intensity and reducing the risk of injury. Using TENDOFORTE^® to target the fascia, it was mixed into a sports recovery drink or smoothie. “It was easy to incorporate the product into existing routines and, after a very short time, I felt more tension and energy in my movement sequence at different load levels,” Thomas says.

The team used a variety of tests to measure the “maximum” and “fast” forces exerted during the throw and recorded a notable increase in explosive force compared with the maximum force prior to the period of supplementation. “This is very important for javelin throwing,” notes Thomas, “because maximum force is usually accompanied by undesired hypertrophy (muscle growth). But, at the same time, a good explosive force is necessary to achieve maximum distances.”

Citing previous training, Thomas explained that an increase in speed had been achieved some time ago as a result of stimulating the fascia with targeted exercises. “However, the extent of this increase was much greater and easier to achieve with additional TENDOFORTE^® supplementation,” he adds.

In summary, TENDOFORTE^® significantly expands the “Fascia Health Program” and offers further, clearly noticeable effects. “Collagen structures definitely play a major role in the efficient and performance-optimized motion sequences involved in javelin throwing. Currently, though, not enough ready-to-use knowledge is available to other athletes. With the development of TENDOFORTE^®, I am pleased to report that a further step has been taken to tap into the enormous potential to optimize fascia health and make a difference to competitive sports.”

If you’re looking to develop or optimize a sports nutrition product and to enhance the performance of a future Olympian, contact us today.