Collagen supplementation has shown several benefits for weight lifting and resistance training, as supported by multiple studies:

1. Improvement in Body Composition: Collagen peptides can help increase fat-free mass (FFM) and decrease body fat mass (BFM). This has been observed in both elderly sarcopenic men and recreationally active young men¹².
2. Increased Muscle Strength: Studies demonstrate that collagen peptide supplementation, combined with resistance training, can result in greater muscle strength improvements compared to resistance training alone. Enhanced strength gains have been reported in both elderly subjects and recreational athletes²³.
3. Enhanced Recovery and Reduced Muscle Soreness: Collagen supplementation might also aid in reducing muscle soreness and improving recovery after intense exercise⁴.
4. Joint Health: Collagen peptides support joint functionality and can reduce joint pain, which is beneficial for those engaged in strenuous physical activities¹.

Though collagen is primarily known for benefiting connective tissues, studies reveal that it also contributes to overall muscle improvement and recovery when combined with resistance training.

Footnotes

1. Vanessa Oertzen-Hagemann, "Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men," NCBI, 2019. ↩ ↩²

2. Denise Zdzieblik, "Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial," NCBI, 2022. ↩ ↩²

3. Patrick Jendricke, "Specific Collagen Peptides in Combination with Resistance Training Improve Body Composition and Regional Muscle Strength in Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial," NCBI, 2020. ↩

4. Joel L Prowting, "Effects of Collagen Peptides on Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise in Resistance-Trained Males-A Pilot Study," PubMed, 2021. ↩