Research

Adherence

Performing knee extension resistance training 2 times per week yields superior patellar tendon force (strength) adaptations compared to 4 times per week when total training volume is equated.

If you are recreationally trained and want to improve tendon strength, doing knee extensions 2 times a week with high volume (to failure) may be more effective for force production than doing them 4 times a week, provided you match the total number of sets. The key is likely the longer duration of the training block (8 weeks vs 4 weeks) allowed for better adaptation.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
However, the increase in force seems to be enhanced by a lower weekly training frequency associated with a longer intervention period.
Tiago Volpi Braz et al. · International journal of exercise science · 2022

Why this rating

Randomized controlled trial with small sample size (n=27) and short duration for morphological outcomes.

Source

AN EXAMINATION OF TWO RESISTANCE TRAINING FREQUENCY TECHNIQUES IN MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL ADAPTATIONS OF THE PATELLAR TENDON

Tiago Volpi Braz et al. · International journal of exercise science · 2022

DOI 10.70252/zfxw7533

rct · n=27
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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