Impact of Collagen Peptide Supplementation in Combination with Long-Term Physical Training on Strength, Musculotendinous Remodeling, Functional Recovery, and Body Composition in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Bischof K, Moitzi AM, Stafilidis S, König D · Sports Medicine

Nineteen studies and 768 participants. Pooled effects favoured collagen for fat-free mass (SMD 0.48), tendon cross-sectional area (0.67), muscle architecture (0.39) and maximal strength (0.19), while tendon mechanical properties — stiffness and Young's modulus across four studies — did not differ (SMD 0.05, p = 0.82). GRADE certainty was moderate for body composition and very low for tendon morphology and mechanics. It is the field's own map of what has been tried in trained populations, and the counterweight to the independent null trials.

Population

Healthy adults undertaking long-term physical training with collagen peptide supplementation

Intervention

Collagen peptides plus training

Comparator

Training with placebo

Limitations

Senior author König leads the Freiburg/Vienna group that produced several of the positive primary trials being pooled, so this is not an independent appraisal of its own evidence base. Healthy trained adults, not patients; no cartilage endpoint anywhere in scope. No external funding.