Introduction
Ergogenic aids include any training strategy, mechanical device, dietary element or practice, or pharmaceutical procedure that enhances exercise performance or training adjustments. The ergogenic aids often employed are amino acids, caffeine, and steroids. Pharmacologic, physiological, and dietary ergogenic aids are available. Athletes are increasingly exploring nutritional supplements that can provide them a significant advantage over their challengers in competition. Collagen peptides, one of the most often utilized dietary ergogenic aids, have a broad spectrum of significance since athletes frequently employ them to boost performance. Thus, the study focuses on the effects of collagen peptide substance on joint function, joint pain, body composition, muscle injury and recovery, and the synthesis of proteins in the muscle among athletes.
Mechanism of Action
Collagen is distinguished by a high proportion of three amino acids, including proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline, which combine to form the protein’s triple-helix shape. Collagen peptides are often more resistant to peptidases than other proteins due to their tiny molecule size and high proline and hydroxyproline content. Hence, collagen is hydrolyzed enzymatically, resulting in the breakdown of the protein into smaller bioactive peptides. Collagen is partially absorbed in peptide form, according to clinical data. For example, the dipeptide prolyl-hydroxyproline is the primary peptide compound found in the body following collagen peptide intake (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). In mouse investigations, this particular dipeptide was shown to boost the number and development of cells extending from the skin (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). Collagen-derived peptides are thus chemoattractants for fibroblast and might contribute to the activation of cells that generate new collagen fibers (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). Collagen breakdown peptides may recruit these cells, resulting in tissue healing (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). Consequently, collagen peptides are quickly absorbed from the digestive tract like other peptides.
Additionally, certain collagen peptides have been demonstrated to operate as signaling molecules in anabolic cellular activities in cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. This may account for the reduction in pain sensations and performance in physically active people with activity-related joint discomforts, tendinopathy, and chronic ankle instability. Thus, peptides comprising non-essential amino acids can be used to stimulate the muscle anabolic processes in addition to leucine (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). Recent research found that supplementing men with 15 g of particular collagen peptides dramatically enhanced fat-free mass after resistance exercise (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). There is an indication that the consequences of resistance exercise on muscle mass and the consumption of dietary proteins vary with age.
Discussion
Collagen Peptide compounds provide a number of advantages in athletes, including reducing joint discomfort, improving joint function, the extension of intense pain-free exercise, and the demand for alternative treatments. According to Khatri et al. (2021), supplementation with 5g of collagen peptide daily may be useful in relieving pain associated with athletic exercise in athletes who do not have degenerative joint disease. Collagen peptides may reduce joint pain by increasing type I, II, and IV collagen, elastin, and proteoglycan production within articular cartilage, lowering tissue damage and discomfort. Collagen peptides can sometimes help synthesize extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in improved connective tissue strength and decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinases that destroy ECM collagen proteins (Khatri et al., 2021). Additionally, collagen peptides may have anti-inflammatory characteristics since glycine has been shown to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, further human research is necessary to understand the collagen peptides’ regulatory processes better.
Another research found that young athletes who received collagen peptide supplements had better ankle function, noting a reduction in the recurrence of ankle problems following chronic ankle instability. Nonetheless, collagen peptide had lower baseline Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) ratings than placebo, which might have contributed to the target group’s variation in ankle function recovery. The use of Collagen peptides in conjunction with eccentric daily calf exercise regimen in athletes with Ankle tendinopathy. The subjects were able to resume running after therapy but did not recover to pre-injury levels throughout the study’s length. The Collagen peptides utilized included 22 percent glycine, which has been shown to improve collagen matrix organization, decrease inflammation, and impact tenocyte metabolic activity in tendons. Additionally, the eccentric workout strategy may have enhanced tendon integrity and decreased neovascularization. Moreover, eccentric exercise has been shown to alter the ECM makeup of muscle tissue through type IV collagen remodeling.
Specific collagen peptides have been demonstrated to boost muscular strength when paired with resistance training (RT). Collagen peptides produced from a hen’s sternal cartilage alleviated bench-press performance, promoted recovery, and alleviated sensations of delayed onset muscular soreness in one study (Clifford et al., 2019). Plasma indicators for muscle injury and inflammatory responses were also shown to be reduced in the collagen cohort (Clifford et al., 2019). The intervention group had a greater tolerance for persistent high resistance training, indicating that collagen peptides may facilitate defensive adaptation by enabling better musculoskeletal recovery through probable ECM modification (Clifford et al., 2019). On a visual scale, collagen peptide was shown to lessen muscular pain by approximately 4.1–5.4 mm after exercise (Clifford et al., 2019). Due to the study’s use of blood samples to detect bone collagen turnover and inflammation, the processes behind the reported improvements could not be fully explained.
Collagen peptides have been studied for their influence on muscle protein synthesis. Shaw et al. (2017) discovered that 15 g/day collagen supplemented with vitamin C enhanced and maintained collagen production for 72 hours, compared to 5 g/day, giving critical information about exercise scheduling in relation to the collagen dosage. The 15 g/day collagen supplementation increased collagen synthesis throughout the post-exercise recovery phase, as shown by an elevation in bone collagen production markers (153 percent increase with 15 grams of collagen peptide versus 59.2 percent rise with 5 grams of collagen peptide). This study suggests that increasing collagen production with 15 grams of Collagen peptide per day in conjunction with an occasional exercise routine taken 60 minutes before exercise may aid in tissue healing and injury prevention.
Moreover, vitamin C stimulates the creation of hydroxyproline and enhances collagen cross-linking, rendering it necessary for collagen synthesis. Notably, only Shaw et al. (2017) saw a substantial increment of collagen production markers after Collagen peptide (15 grams dosage). However, Lis and Baar (2019) and Clifford et al. (2019) observed no variation in collagen production markers following 20 g/day Collagen peptide at different doses. According to Lis and Baar (2019), they did not see any substantial changes as a result of the high variation of the markers testing kit they utilized. Vitamin C supplementation may interrupt the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) pack used in this investigation, which contradicts the findings of Shaw and colleagues (2017). This might be because Lis and Baar (2019) utilized different collagen supplementation (gelatine and hydrolyzed collagen) and a different blood clotting time (20 minutes), while Shaw et al. (2017) used gelatine and a 2-hour clotting period solely. However, additional studies of this type are essential to review the effectiveness of various protein sources.
Supplements containing collagen peptides have also been shown to impact body composition in several studies considerably. According to Zdzieblik et al. (2021), collagen peptide supplementation combined with an assisted resistance exercise program resulted in substantial modifications in body composition, particularly in male participants. Fat-free mass (FFM) increased by over five kilograms, whereas fat mass (FM) decreased by six kilograms as a result of the collagen peptide treatment (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). In contrast, the FFM grew by three kilograms, and the FM fell by four kilograms in the placebo, most likely as a result of the resistance training program (Zdzieblik et al., 2021). The combination of collagen supplementation and resistance exercise resulted in modest changes in body composition. The rise in FFM is thought to be caused by the influence of Collagen peptides on connective tissues in the surrounding area.
Safety and Legality
Collagen supplements are safe for long-term usage, with none of the research included in this review revealing any negative effects from using collagen peptide supplements, even at higher dosages (60 g/day) or using alternative supplement formulations. Other higher-quality protein products, such as whey protein, may, on the other hand, be more beneficial for the production of muscle and, as a result, for the development of muscular hypertrophy. According to several renal function measurements, supplementation with collagen peptides by trained players and athletes does not seem to compromise kidney function.
In addition, collagen has excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making it a safe and efficient biomaterial. Collagen peptide has been employed in tissue regeneration and clinical purposes in recent years, and it is expected to continue to be used in these areas in the future. In addition to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, collagen has the potential to be employed as a functional element in dietary supplements. Due to the fact that collagen peptides are capable of bonding calcium ions and increasing their bioavailability, they may be employed in functional food components to treat mineral shortages. Certain persons, for instance, those with diabetes mellitus, who are susceptible to kidney illness, and those who are prone to kidney stones, should be concerned about the amount of protein in their meals. Most amino acid supplementation is safe when taken in the authorized amounts, but it may adversely affect protein metabolism if taken in excess. The World Anti-Doping Agency has determined that collagen peptide compounds are not prohibited (WADA).
Recommendations
Due to the fact that females are much more susceptible to connective tissue problems than men, it is vital that more research be done on the implications of collagen peptides on female athletes. Females have a higher risk of injury because of a reduced tendon hypertrophic response, a decreased rate of tendon collagen synthesis immediately after exercise, and higher estrogen levels. All of these factors may affect the physical rigidity of tendons and ligaments. Among athletes, the incidence of bone and tendon accidents is high, and it may have a detrimental influence on an athlete’s professional career. It may be possible to improve healing times by determining the influence of collagen supplements on the recovery process after such injuries.
Overall, there was a divided opinion on the mechanisms of collagen peptide supplements, and further controlled random research with detailed outcome measurements such as biochemical evaluation, modified human ligaments, and muscle biopsies are needed. Magnetic resonance imagery (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound imaging should all be used to directly quantify variations in tendon and joint cartilage dimensions, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions (Hayes et al., 2019). Many renowned supplement firms should recruit research and marketing directors who will assist in disseminating information to the public about nutrition and fitness, as well as providing feedback on product development, which is critical in the long run. Directors should also perform preliminary research on commodities and aid in the coordination of research trials done by independent research groups, including university-based experts or clinical research sites, to ensure that the best possible results are obtained.
Conclusion
Athletes are actively seeking nutritional remedies that will offer them a considerable edge over their opponents. Athletes travel great distances in order to acquire effective dietary assistance. Consequently, there has been considerable speculation about the widespread usage of illicit substances in sports; nevertheless, the challenge has been in identifying substances that are helpful in increasing performance while also not violating the regulations. It is also critical that any chemical agent that is utilized in this manner does not have any negative side effects on the user. It is possible to get ergogenic benefits from food in various ways; the most apparent examples are carbohydrate supplements, collagen peptide compounds, and sports drinks. All necessary dietary components, such as amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins, may be regarded to fall into this group, including carbohydrates, fats, and sugars. Since these nutrients are necessary for preserving health and the body’s normal function, supplementation over the amount required for health preservation is unlikely to improve exercise performance.
References
Clifford, T., Ventress, M., Allerton, D. M., Stansfield, S., Tang, J. C., Fraser, W. D., Vanhoecke, B., Prawitt, J & Stevenson, E. (2019). The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: A randomized, controlled trial. Amino Acids, 51(4), 691-704. Web.
Hayes, A., Easton, K., Devanaboyina, P. T., Wu, J. P., Kirk, T. B., & Lloyd, D. (2019). A review of methods to measure tendon dimensions. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 14(1), 1-12. Web.
Khatri, M., Naughton, R. J., Clifford, T., Harper, L. D., & Corr, L. (2021). The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: A systematic review. Amino Acids, 53(10), 1493-1506. Web.
Lis, D. M., & Baar, K. (2019). Effects of different vitamin C–enriched collagen derivatives on collagen synthesis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29(5), 526-531. Web.
Shaw, G., Lee-Barthel, A., Ross, M. L., Wang, B., & Baar, K. (2017). Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 105(1), 136-143. Web.
Zdzieblik, D., Jendricke, P., Oesser, S., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2021). The influence of specific bioactive collagen peptides on body composition and muscle strength in middle-aged, untrained men: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4837. Web.