Prolonged Collagen Peptide Supplementation and Resistance Exercise Training Affects Body Composition in Recreationally Active Men

Abstract

We aimed to determine the effects of long-term collagen peptide (CP) supplementation and resistance exercise training (RET) on body composition, strength, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA) in recreationally active men. Fifty-seven young men were randomly and double-blinded divided into a group receiving either collagen peptides (COL, 15 g/day) or a placebo (PLA). Strength testing, bioimpedance analysis, and muscle biopsies were used prior to and after an RET intervention. Food record protocols were performed during the RET intervention. The groups trained three times a week for 12 weeks. Baseline parameters showed no differences between groups, and the external training load and dietary food intake were also similar. COL showed a significant increase in fat-free mass (FFM) compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Body fat mass (BFM) was unchanged in COL, whereas a significant increase in BFM was observed in PLA. Both groups showed significant increases in all strength tests, with a trend for a slightly more pronounced effect in COL. The fCSA of type II muscle fibers increased significantly in both groups without differences between the two groups. We firstly demonstrated improved body composition in healthy, recreationally active men subsequent to prolonged CP supplementation in combination with RET. As the observed increase in FFM was not reflected in differences in fCSA hypertrophy between groups, we assume enhanced passive connective tissue adaptations in COL due to CP intake.

Effects of Resistance Exercises on Body Composition and Some Biochemical Parameters

“…In a study supporting our research results, a resistance exercise model with an intensity of 65-80%, which included 6 exercises for 5 days a week for 8 weeks, was found to cause significant changes in body fat percentage, fat weight and BMI values (Kim et al, 2016). In another study, it has been shown that resistance exercises which are applied 3 days a week for 12 weeks increase the body weight in active individuals for recreational purposes (Kirmse, Oertzen-Hagemann, de Marées, Bloch, & Platen, 2019). It is emphasized that 12 weeks of combined exercises (aerobic + resistance) applied to middle-aged obese women lead to positive improvements in body composition (Cho et al, 2018).…”

Animal, Plant, Collagen and Blended Dietary Proteins: Effects on Musculoskeletal Outcomes

“…This supposition is supported by data showing that gelatin supplementation increased collagen content in engineered ligaments [126]. Similar mechanisms may also underlie muscle functional responses, specifically muscle strength, where studies have shown collagen peptide supplements to have no effect on maximal voluntary contraction [29,128], but did speed-up recovery of countermovement jump performance following strenuous exercise [29]. Since ECM degradation can occur following exercise [131], it is plausible that the purported collagen-induced ECM remodelling (e.g., increased collagen synthesis) occurred, therein improving fast/reactive movements that have a heavy tendon component (i.e., countermovement jump) [128].…”

“…The ability of collagen supplementation to potentiate exercise-induced muscle adaptations is more widely studied than the effects of collagen supplementation alone yet remains contentious with mixed results depending on the outcome measure. In regards to body composition, Kirmse et al [128] observed an increase in fat-free mass after 12 weeks of RET plus 15 g/d collagen peptide supplementation, which was not observed in the placebo group. However, similar changes in cross-sectional area and muscle thickness across the whole cohort (i.e., both groups) suggest that greater myofiber hypertrophy cannot explain these changes.…”

“…The lack of tryptophan and low methionine and leucine content [27] in dietary collagen may explain the non-hypertrophic responses when used in an unblended fashion (i.e., when not blended with other dietary protein sources). Instead, it has been suggested that increased connective tissue/extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling may contribute to the favourable changes in fat-free mass that are observed [128]. This supposition is supported by data showing that gelatin supplementation increased collagen content in engineered ligaments [126].…”

“…Similar mechanisms may also underlie muscle functional responses, specifically muscle strength, where studies have shown collagen peptide supplements to have no effect on maximal voluntary contraction [29,128], but did speed-up recovery of countermovement jump performance following strenuous exercise [29]. Since ECM degradation can occur following exercise [131], it is plausible that the purported collagen-induced ECM remodelling (e.g., increased collagen synthesis) occurred, therein improving fast/reactive movements that have a heavy tendon component (i.e., countermovement jump) [128]. Further, the ability of collagen supplementation to facilitate the recovery of additional exercise performance measures, such as maximal voluntary contraction, following an intense period of short-term RET was similar to that of whey protein [132].…”