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Collagen Supplementation on Tendon-Related Structural and Performance Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Albert Buchalski, Michael Jeanfavre, Colby Altorelli, Gretchen Leff
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 2026 11(1):130

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 41900537
PubMed Central
PMC13028264
DOI
10.3390/jfmk11010130
Funding
The authors reported no funding or financial incentive for completion or publication of the systematic review.
Competing interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review of RCTs incorporating resistance/plyometric loading
ModelYoung to middle-aged athletic or training adults
Sample8 RCTs; 257 participants (246 men, 11 women)
InterventionCollagen 5–30 g/day with resistance or plyometric training; some vitamin C co-supplementation
Duration3–15 weeks
EndpointsTendon cross-sectional area; Tendon stiffness and Young's modulus; Muscle strength; Sports performance

What the study showed, in plain terms

Small RCTs suggest collagen may enhance tendon cross-sectional area and stiffness when paired with training, particularly at 15–30 g. An additional muscle-strength effect was not established.

Key findings

Three of four CSA studies favored collagen; higher-dose studies improved tendon stiffness; muscle strength increases were generally due to training without a collagen-specific difference.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Very small total sample and extreme male predominance; review authors' GRADE labels require cautious interpretation; not direct evidence for tendon-injury treatment or generic 10-g dosing.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology