Does collagen strengthen connective tissue in musc...

In earlier blogs we have now mentioned the position of protein consumption for muscle protein synthesis. Nonetheless, muscle incorporates many alternative purposeful proteins. Whereas most analysis has focussed on contractile proteins, muscle additionally incorporates many connective proteins that play a vital position in transferring forces alongside the muscle. As a lot as 80% of the contractile drive is transferred via the connective protein community earlier than reaching the tendon to facilitate joint motion. These connective proteins are discovered each contained in the muscle cells and nicely as on the skin of those cells.

The muscle connective protein community is a key issue for the capability of muscular tissues to generate drive. Similar to different muscle proteins (contractile proteins or mitochondrial proteins) connective proteins are continually being damaged down and synthesised. Train (particularly resistance train) will enhance protein synthesis and it’s thought that over time the connective protein community will develop into stronger consistent with a muscle that’s turning into stronger.

Little analysis is accessible to check the results of protein consumption on connective tissue throughout the muscle. It has been advised that maybe the ingestion of protein and specifically collagen would assist the synthesis of this connective tissue. An early examine confirmed that proteins from meals had been certainly used for the synthesis of connective tissue proteins, protein consumption instantly after resistance train had no further impact (1). The protein that was ingested on this examine and others have advised that maybe a distinct protein like collagen can be simpler.

A lot of the muscle connective protein community consists of collagen strands, that are plentiful in glycine (25%), proline (12%) and hydroxyproline (14%). It has subsequently been hypothesised that connective protein synthesis charges after train is proscribed by the supply of ample glycine and proline precursors for collagen synthesis. In distinction to casein (or whey) protein, collagen offers ample quantities of glycine and proline that would help a better enhance in muscle connective protein synthesis after train.

A brand new examine examined this speculation (2). 45 wholesome younger women and men had been chosen, they usually ingested 30 g whey protein, 30 g collagen protein, or a noncaloric placebo after a single bout of resistance train. It was proven {that a} single bout of barbell squat train will increase each the synthesis of contractile proteins in addition to connective proteins.

Whey protein ingestion had an additive impact and elevated protein synthesis charges of contractile proteins much more. Nonetheless, in distinction to the speculation, whey protein consumption had no impact on connective proteins. The ingestion of collagen protein didn’t enhance the synthesis of contractile proteins or connective tissue in contrast with the placebo.

The researchers did see a considerable enhance in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline within the blood however this didn’t appear to have an effect on protein synthesis of connective proteins. Some research have discovered some promising and attention-grabbing outcomes of collagen supplementation for tendon and bone, however muscle connective tissue appears unaffected by it. Possibly it is because these tissues (ligaments, tendons, and bone) have a a lot increased collagen content material (85% collagen) when put next with muscle tissue (5% collagen).

After all, this is just one examine, with one collagen complement and one dose and it’s attainable {that a} increased dose or a distinct complement would have labored higher.

In conclusion, resistance train will increase each synthesis of muscle contractile proteins in addition to muscle connective proteins. Whey protein ingestion may help to extend protein synthesis of contractile proteins. Collagen protein ingestion has no impact on the synthesis of connective proteins.

1. Trommelen J Holwerda AM Senden JM, et al. Casein ingestion doesn’t enhance muscle connective tissue protein synthesis charges. Med Sci Sports activities Exerc. 2020;52(9):1983–91.

2. Aussieker T, Hilkens L, Holwerda AM. Collagen Protein Ingestion throughout Restoration from Train Does Not Improve Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Charges. Med Sci Sports activities Exerc. 2023;55(10):1792-1802.