From the Research
Effects of Oral Collagen Supplementation on Athletes
- The current evidence on the effects of oral collagen supplementation on athletes is limited, with most studies focusing on its effects on skin health 1, 2.
- However, some studies have investigated the effects of oral collagen supplementation on muscle damage and recovery in athletes, with mixed results:
- A 2024 study found that substituting a portion of whey protein with collagen peptide supplementation did not improve indices of eccentric muscle damage or functional outcomes during eccentric training in young fit males 3.
- A 2018 study found that specific collagen peptide supplementation improved subjective perceived ankle stability and reduced the number of ankle joint injuries in athletes with chronic ankle instability 4.
- Other studies have investigated the effects of oral collagen supplementation on tendinopathy in athletes:
- A 2023 study protocol outlined a double-blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of oral supplementation of hydrolyzed collagen and vitamin C in combination with progressive tendon loading exercises for patellar tendinopathy in athletes 5.
- Overall, the evidence suggests that oral collagen supplementation may have some benefits for athletes, particularly in terms of improving ankle stability and reducing the risk of injury, but more research is needed to fully understand its effects 3, 4, 5.