The Influence of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Knee Joint Discomfort in Young Physically Active Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Zdzieblik D, Brame J, Oesser S, Gollhofer A, König D · Nutrients

A deliberate replication of the same group's earlier n=139 trial, and it replicated: activity-related knee pain fell further on collagen than placebo. The between-group difference is small — around 6 mm on a 100 mm scale — and pain at rest and during squats did not separate.

Population

Physically active men and women aged 18-30 with exercise-related knee discomfort and no diagnosed joint disease

Intervention

5 g specific collagen peptides daily for 12 weeks

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

Young healthy active adults with joint discomfort, not osteoarthritis patients — the population most likely to improve anyway. Between-group differences sit below the 15-20 mm usually treated as a minimal clinically important difference on a VAS. Oesser is at the Collagen Research Institute and has given lectures supported by GELITA; the first author joined that institute after the study.