Improvement of functional ankle properties following supplementation with specific collagen peptides in athletes with chronic ankle instability

Abstract

Following an initial ankle sprain it is not unlikely that chronic ankle instability (CAI) will develop. CAI is associated with impaired perceived functional and mechanical properties of the ligaments. Nutritional supplementation with collagen peptides has been shown to improve the functional and mechanical properties of the connective tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of specific collagen peptide supplementation (SCP) to improve ankle stability in athletes with CAI. 50 male and female athletes with CAI completed a randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study with a daily oral administration of either 5 g SCP or 5 g placebo (Maltodextrin) over a period of six months. Both, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and the German version of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM-G) were used to measure the subjective perceived function of the ankle. Additionally, the mechanical stability was determined by measuring the ankle stiffness by an ankle arthrometer. Finally, a three-month follow-up was performed. ANOVA analysis indicated that the subjective ankle stability was improved in both the CAIT (p < 0.001) and the FAAM-G (p < 0.001) following SCP supplementation compared with placebo. No significant changes between the groups were detected in the results of the ankle arthrometer. After six month the subjective report of the ankle stability function significantly improved and the three month follow-up revealed a significant decline in the number of ankle joint injuries (p < 0.05). These data support the concept that specific collagen peptide supplementation in athletes with chronic ankle instability results in significant improvements in subjective perceived ankle stability. The reduction in the re-injury rate of ankle sprains in the follow-up period suggests that these findings have clinical relevance.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Collagen Hydrolysate Enhances Postprandial Absorption Rate—A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In addition, ingestion of EHC led to significantly higher plasma concentrations of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline compared to non-hydrolyzed collagen. Notably, these AAs have been connected with the potential beneficial effects of collagen supplementation on tendinopathy and articular joint pain experienced in both OA patients and athletes [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,21,22]. As net collagen synthesis is negative in OA patients, enhancing collagen synthesis has been proposed to help regeneration of cartilage [11,22].…”

“…Collagen is an abundant structural protein present in connective tissue. Besides its nutritional value as a protein source, dietary supplementation with collagen-derived peptide sources has been suggested to provide beneficial effects in patients with tendinopathy [5,6,7], chronic joint instability [8], osteoarthritis (OA) [3,9,10,11,12], and activity-related joint pain [13,14]. Thus, nutritional interventions focusing on increasing the amino acid (AA) components of collagen have been suggested to improve collagen synthesis of collagen-rich tissues such as ligaments and bones [5] and potentially slow the degenerative process in OA affected joints [11].…”

Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance

“…When compared to both the minimum RDAs [30] and the actual dietary protein intakes for both men and women in absolute values [33], the effective daily amounts of functional collagen peptides (2.5 to 15 g) observed in the literature [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16] were found to be below the maximum level of collagen that may be incorporated in the standard American diet (Table 4).…”

“…As functional foods, collagen peptides have been shown to exhibit important physiological functions with a positive impact on health. Numerous studies have shown an improvement in skin elasticity [6], the recovery of lost cartilage tissue [7], reduced activity-related joint pain [8,9], strengthened tendons and ligaments [10,11,12,13], increased lean body mass in elderly men and premenopausal women [14,15], and increased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women [16]. These studies have investigated supplementation with doses of 2.5 to 15 g of bioactive collagen peptides over periods of three to 18 months.…”

Oral Supplementation of Specific Collagen Peptides Combined with Calf-Strengthening Exercises Enhances Function and Reduces Pain in Achilles Tendinopathy Patients

“…Others have shown that glycine, as the most abundant component of collagen hydrolysates [11], has disease-modifying properties in both animal [12,13] and in vitro [14] models of tendinopathy. There is also first evidence, that collagen peptides might improve functional ankle properties in chronic ankle instability [15]. Therefore, we aimed to study the potential clinical benefits of a specific hydrolysed collagen supplement as add-on therapy to 6 months of an eccentric calf-strengthening and well-structured return-to-running program.…”