Influence of Specific Collagen Peptides on Training-Induced Metabolic and Biomechanical Adaptations of Skeletal Muscle

This study investigates whether taking daily collagen peptides, combined with long-term endurance or concurrent training can enhance running economy through muscle and/or tendon adaptations.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Collagen Supplementation
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: ColCT; Dietary supplement: PlaCT; Dietary supplement: ColET; Dietary supplement: PlaET

Detailed Description

An adequate and high-quality intake of proteins and amino acids is crucial for synthesizing the body's own connective tissue-like structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Various metabolic and hormonal processes are regulated or influenced by proteins. It is undisputed that measurable improvements are only possible through the combination of training and protein intake. Simply increasing protein intake without physical activity cannot be expected to result in structural or metabolic adaptations.

In recent years, interest in regular collagen intake in sports nutrition, particularly in connection with moderate to intense physical activity, has increased. Since collagen and its peptides are primarily found in force-transmitting structures such as tendons, studies have been conducted to examine how tendons adapt to collagen peptide supplementation. Studies by Jerger et al. (2022 & 2023) have shown that both the patellar and Achilles tendons adapt to collagen supplementation, as evidenced by an increased cross-sectional area compared to a non-caloric placebo. This increase allows tendons to withstand greater forces, making them more resilient and thus playing an important role in injury prevention. These results were achieved with a dose of 5g of collagen combined with three months of strength training.

Additionally, multi-month collagen peptide supplementation combined with concurrent training (strength and endurance training in one session) led to improved endurance performance. Both running distance and speed at the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds significantly increased compared to a placebo group with a daily intake of 15g of collagen over three months (Jerger et al. 2023, Jendricke et al. 2020).

Based on these results, the question arises as to whether regularly supplemented collagen peptides, combined with pure endurance training, lead to similar metabolic and/or tendon-specific adaptations. Therefore, the aim of this proposed study is to investigate both metabolic and specific (morphological, mechanical, and material) properties of the Achilles and patellar tendons to determine the mechanism through which the so-called "running economy" develops in connection with collagen peptides. The results will be compared to those of concurrent training, which has already shown metabolic adaptations as described above.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Vienna, Austria, 1150
    • Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, Department of Sport and Human Movement Science

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Male gender Age 18-40 years No subjective symptoms during physical exertion BMI of 18.5 to 26 Stable weight and dietary habits No extensive strength/endurance training (less than 3 hours per week) No contraindications to physical exertion according to ACSM guidelines No contraindications to supplemental nutrition or ergogenic supplements

Exclusion Criteria:

Contraindications to physical activity (e.g., chronic heart disease, arrhythmia, heart valve disease, arthritis, etc.; general exclusion criteria according to ACSM 2009; intolerance/aversion to animal protein) Arterial hypertension (systolic BP > 200 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 105 mmHg) at rest Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) Liver and/or kidney disease that excludes a high protein load

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ColCT; Dietary Supplement: Collagen Participants ingest 15 grams specific collagen peptides daily + Concurrent training 12 weeks, 3x/week	Dietary supplement: ColCT; Dietary Supplement: Collagen Participants ingest 15 grams of specific collagen peptides daily
Placebo Comparator: PlaCT; Dietary Supplement: Placebo Participants ingest 15 grams of a placebo daily + Concurrent training 12 weeks, 3x/week	Dietary supplement: PlaCT; Dietary Supplement: Placebo. Participants ingest 15 grams of placebo daily
Experimental: ColET; Dietary Supplement: Collagen Participants ingest 15 grams specific collagen peptides daily + Endurance training 12 weeks, 3x/week	Dietary supplement: ColET; Dietary Supplement: Collagen Participants ingest 15 grams of specific collagen peptides daily
Placebo Comparator: PlaET; Dietary Supplement: Collagen Participants ingest 15 grams of placebo daily + Endurance training 12 weeks, 3x/week	Dietary supplement: PlaET; Dietary Supplement: Placebo. Participants ingest 15 grams of placebo daily

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
One-hour time trial performance	Participants run an hour on the track outside as far as possible	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Achilles tendon cross sectional-area	Ultrasound	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Achilles and Patellar tendon Stiffness	Ultrasound + isokinetic dynamometer	Baseline and after 12 weeks
VO2max	treadmill with spirometry	Baseline and after 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body composition	Fat mass, fat-free mass, extracellular mass, body cell mass, skeletal muscle mass. Measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Achilles tendon stress, strain, Young's modulus	Ultrasound + isokinetic dynamometer	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Patellar tendon strain	Ultrasound + isokinetic dynamometer	Baseline and after 12 weeks
RER, VT1, VT2, LTP1, LTP2, HFrel., FATox.	treadmill with spirometry and blood (lactate) collection.	Baseline and after 12 weeks
Achilles tendon echointensity	Ultrasound	Baseline and after 12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Energy and macronutrient intake	kcal, protein, carbs, fat. 2x 3 day questionnaire (start and end of study)	Baseline and after 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Vienna
• Collaborators: CRI Collagen Research Institute GmbH

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 13, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 12, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 12, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): November 14, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 14, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 12, 2024
• Last Verified: November 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Running economy; collagen supplementation
• Other Study ID Numbers: 01177

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No