Abstract
Collagen peptide supplementation (COL), in conjunction with exercise, may be beneficial for the management of degenerative bone and joint disorders. This is likely due to stimulatory effects of COL and exercise on the extracellular matrix of connective tissues, improving structure and load-bearing capabilities. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current literature available on the combined impact of COL and exercise. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, a literature search of three electronic databases—PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL—was conducted in June 2020. Fifteen randomised controlled trials were selected after screening 856 articles. The study populations included 12 studies in recreational athletes, 2 studies in elderly participants and 1 in untrained pre-menopausal women. Study outcomes were categorised into four topics: (i) joint pain and recovery from joint injuries, (ii) body composition, (iii) muscle soreness and recovery from exercise, and (iv) muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and collagen synthesis. The results indicated that COL is most beneficial in improving joint functionality and reducing joint pain. Certain improvements in body composition, strength and muscle recovery were present. Collagen synthesis rates were elevated with 15 g/day COL but did not have a significant impact on MPS when compared to isonitrogenous higher quality protein sources. Exact mechanisms for these adaptations are unclear, with future research using larger sample sizes, elite athletes, female participants and more precise outcome measures such as muscle biopsies and magnetic imagery.
Highlights
Collagen constitutes one-third of the total protein in humans and is the most abundant form of structural protein in the body
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the effects of Collagen peptide supplementation (COL) on exercise performance, recovery, and rehabilitation in the elderly, and elite and recreational athletes
Effects of collagen supplementation on joint function and recovery from joint injuries All five studies reported beneficial effects of COL in reducing joint pain, improving joint function, increasing the length of pain-free strenuous exertion, and reducing the need for alternative therapies, especially when combined with an exercise rehabilitation programme (Table 1). Both Clark and colleagues (2008) (10 g/day COL) and Zdzieblik et al (2017) (5 g/day COL) observed that COL led to a decrease in activity-related joint discomfort and use of alternative therapies to manage pain (PLA alternative therapy use 3.25-fold higher than COL in the former study and COL resulted in a 59% decrease of therapies in the latter)
Summary
Collagen constitutes one-third of the total protein in humans and is the most abundant form of structural protein in the body. The primary role of collagen is to maintain connective tissue health and mechanical properties of the skin (RicardBlum 2011). Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining tendon health and mitigating potential injury-risk in sport (Goes et al 2020). Collagen is characterised by a high concentration of three amino acids—glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which create its characteristic triple-helix structure (León-López et al 2019). Collagen is hydrolysed enzymatically, degrading it into smaller bioactive peptides (the primary supplemental form of collagen) that are absorbed within the digestive tract before entering circulation (Iwai et al 2005). The sources of collagen peptides are bovine, porcine, marine and poultry hydrolysed collagen (León-López et al 2019)
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