The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: a randomized, controlled trial

Amino Acids. 2019 Apr;51(4):691-704. doi: 10.1007/s00726-019-02706-5. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Abstract

This study examined whether consuming collagen peptides (CP) before and after strenuous exercise alters markers of muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover. Using a double-blind, independent group's design, 24 recreationally active males consumed either 20 g day-1 of CP or a placebo control (CON) for 7 days before and 2 days after performing 150 drop jumps. Maximal isometric voluntary contractions, countermovement jumps (CMJ), muscle soreness (200 mm visual analogue scale), pressure pain threshold, Brief Assessment of Mood Adapted (BAM +) and a range of blood markers associated with muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX) and N-terminal propeptides of type 1 pro-collagen (P1NP) were measured before supplementation (baseline; BL), pre, post, 1.5, 24 and 48 h post-exercise. Muscle soreness was not significantly different in CP and CON (P = 0.071) but a large effect size was evident at 48 h post-exercise, indicative of lower soreness in the CP group (90.42 ± 45.33 mm vs. CON 125.67 ± 36.50 mm; ES = 2.64). CMJ height recovered quicker with CP than CON at 48 h (P = 0.050; CP 89.96 ± 12.85 vs. CON 78.67 ± 14.41% of baseline values; ES = 0.55). There were no statistically significant effects for the other dependent variables (P > 0.05). β-CTX and P1NP were unaffected by CP supplementation (P > 0.05). In conclusion, CP had moderate benefits for the recovery of CMJ and muscle soreness but had no influence on inflammation and bone collagen synthesis.

Keywords: Bone turnover; Collagen; Exercise recovery; Hydrolyzed collagen; Inflammation; Muscle soreness.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Remodeling / drug effects*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Collagen / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Myalgia / drug therapy*
  • Myalgia / etiology
  • Pain Threshold
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Collagen