Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial

Zdzieblik D, Oesser S, Baumstark MW, Gollhofer A, König D · British Journal of Nutrition

Collagen peptides alongside resistance training improved body composition and increased muscle strength versus placebo. Included here because it is frequently cited as evidence collagen builds connective tissue when its endpoint is muscle and body composition — a third distinct claim from either cartilage or tendon.

Population

Elderly men with sarcopenia undertaking resistance training

Intervention

Post-exercise collagen peptide supplementation with resistance training

Comparator

Placebo with the same training

Limitations

Muscle and body composition rather than any joint or cartilage endpoint. Same Freiburg/Collagen Research Institute group as the bone trials. An erratum was published in 2025 (Br J Nutr 134:440) and a critical comment in 2016 (Br J Nutr 116:569-70).