Runner Craig Sharp posing with a U Perform Shaker Bottle after finishing the Chicago Marathon, wearing his finishers medal and blue tinted sports sunglasses
Runner Craig Sharp posing with a U Perform Shaker Bottle after finishing the Chicago Marathon, wearing his finishers medal and blue tinted sports sunglasses

What Role Does Collagen Play in Healing Sports Injuries?

Whether you're a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, sports injuries are a common occurrence. From football and rugby to triathlons and athletics, the physical demands of these sports can lead to a variety of injuries, particularly those involving the musculoskeletal system such as tendons, ligaments, and bones. But did you know that collagen, a protein that your body produces naturally, plays a crucial role in healing these injuries? Let's dive into the science behind it, and how bovine collagen supplements can help you train harder and recover faster.

U Perform athlete running in a running race wearing a running vest of U Perform colours

Collagen and Tissue Repair

Collagen, a naturally occurring protein in the human body, plays an integral role in maintaining and repairing bodily tissues. It's the primary structural component of connective tissues, which include tendons, ligaments, and skin. These tissues rely heavily on collagen for their strength and resilience. As such, collagen is fundamental in wound healing, especially when it comes to sports injuries that often involve damage to these connective tissues.

When our bodies sustain an injury, whether it's a sprained ankle or a torn ligament, the wound healing process kicks into gear. A significant part of this process involves the synthesis of collagen. The body ramps up its collagen production, responding to the injury by dispatching this vital protein to the site of the damage. In effect, collagen serves as a kind of 'scaffold,' providing the structural integrity necessary for the regrowth of tissues.

This reparative protein not only offers stability to the damaged area but also creates a framework upon which new cells can grow and flourish. It essentially paves the way for cellular regrowth, fostering the conditions necessary for the healing process to take place. Moreover, collagen aids in attracting new cells to the wound site, further facilitating the repair and regeneration process.

However, the process isn't perfect. The newly formed collagen, while vital for healing, is often not as robust or flexible as the original tissue especially when available collagen (as we get older) starts to deplete; by up to 1.5% each year. Supplementing with a high quality collagen supplement like our Active Collagen enhances the speed and strength of the recovery to avoid new tissues becoming weak, less flexible and susceptible to reinjury. 

Understanding the role of collagen in tissue repair underlines its importance in the recovery from sports injuries. It's a crucial component of the healing process, but also a reminder that care must be taken to allow for complete healing, to ensure that the new fibres have time to form and be as strong and flexible as possible. 

x ray style image of a runner's lower leg showing red inflammation to represent a sport related injury. the runner is wearing grey shoes and is standing on a leaf forest floor surrounded by trees

Collagen and Bone Healing

Collagen, often associated with skin elasticity and connective tissue repair, also performs a crucial role in the process of bone healing. Bone tissue, much like connective tissue, relies heavily on collagen for its structural integrity. In fact, collagen makes up about 30% of the bone and provides the organic framework upon which the hard, mineral crystals of bone form. This unique interaction between collagen and minerals like calcium phosphate is what gives bones their distinctive combination of hardness and strength, with a degree of pliability allowing them to withstand physical stress and pressure.

When a bone fracture occurs, the body initiates a complex and precise healing process to repair the damage. A significant player in this process is collagen. Just as it does in the healing of soft tissues, the body increases collagen production in response to a bone injury. This extra collagen forms what is known as a "soft callus" around the fracture site. This callus serves as a temporary, flexible bridge that connects the fractured bone ends and provides some stability to the damaged area.

As the healing process progresses, the soft callus undergoes a transformative process. The collagen framework serves as a mineral nucleation site, meaning it acts as a sort of 'seed' around which mineral crystals begin to form. Over time, these minerals crystallize and harden, thereby gradually converting the soft, collagen-rich callus into a hard, mineralised callus. This new callus closely resembles the characteristics of the original bone, displaying the hardness and strength necessary for proper bone function.

Yet, it's important to note that this newly formed bone may not immediately match the mechanical strength of the original bone. The healing process is slow and the bone continues to remodel and strengthen over time, eventually restoring its original function and structure. 

This is a reminder of the importance of allowing sufficient healing time following a bone injury, to ensure the regenerated bone has regained its full strength and stability before returning to previous levels of activity. It may also be worth looking at a gradual return to sport or activity, starting at very low volume and intensity and increasing incrementally over the course of several weeks. 


the image shows a runner wearing grey running shorts crouched over and holding the muscles above the knee as if in pain as a result of a sporting injury

Collagen's Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Scientific research has begun to uncover a multitude of benefits associated with collagen, extending far beyond its well-known role in tissue and bone repair. Among these, some studies have highlighted the potential anti-inflammatory properties of collagen peptides. These are smaller chains of amino acids derived from collagen proteins, which can be more easily absorbed by the body.

Evidence suggests that these collagen peptides may possess the ability to counteract inflammation. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury, aimed at protecting the area and facilitating healing. However, excessive or prolonged inflammation can hinder the healing process and cause pain and discomfort. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory action of collagen peptides could play a significant role in managing the aftermath of sports injuries.

Specifically, collagen peptides have been found to potentially help reduce swelling and alleviate pain associated with these injuries. Swelling is a common symptom following a sports injury, resulting from the body's attempt to protect and heal the damaged area. Similarly, pain is a typical response to injury, designed to limit movement and prevent further damage. By potentially reducing both swelling and pain, collagen peptides may aid in improving mobility and comfort during the recovery phase.

The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of collagen peptides are particularly advantageous for athletes. For those who participate in regular or professional sports, injury recovery time is a crucial factor. The faster an athlete can recover and return to their sport, the less impact the injury has on their performance, progression or even their livelihood. As such, if collagen peptides can indeed help shorten recovery times, they could prove to be a significant asset in sports injury management.

Collagen Supplementation for Athletes

Given collagen's crucial role in injury repair, it's no surprise that many athletes turn to collagen supplements to support their recovery. Research suggests that collagen supplementation can improve joint health and potentially speed up recovery times. For instance, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that collagen supplementation improved activity-related joint pain in athletes.

Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that collagen supplementation increased the density of collagen fibrils and fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen, in the Achilles tendon. This suggests that collagen supplementation could potentially strengthen tendons and reduce the risk of re-injury.

Moreover, a study published in the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that vitamin C, which is often included in collagen supplements, can enhance collagen synthesis and soft tissue healing. This is particularly relevant for athletes as it suggests that collagen supplements could potentially enhance the body's natural healing processes.

Lastly, a study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine found that a scaffold made from collagen and other materials improved tendon-to-bone healing in rabbits. While this study was conducted in animals and not humans, it does provide further evidence of collagen's potential benefits for sports injury healing.

active collagen

active collagen

Train Harder, Recover Faster

Active Collagen is formulated with 2 Unique Bioactive Collagen Peptides® to support your muscle & soft tissue, while also contributing to healthy skin, hair & nails.

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The Bottom Line

While collagen is essential for healing, it's only one component of a complex process that involves many other factors, such as nutrition, rest, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a sports medicine professional when dealing with sports injuries.

Bovine collagen supplements, however, can be a valuable addition to an athlete's recovery regimen. By potentially speeding up recovery times, reducing inflammation, and strengthening connective tissues, these supplements can help athletes train harder, recover faster, and get back to doing what they love.

Remember, not all collagen supplements are created equal. Look for high-quality bovine collagen supplements that are backed by science. Your body and your performance will thank you.

 

  • Shaw, G., Lee-Barthel, A., Ross, M. L., Wang, B., & Baar, K. (2017). Vitamin C–enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 105(1), 136–143.
  • Zdzieblik, D., Oesser, S., Baumstark, M. W., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2015). Collagen peptide supplementation in combination with resistance training improves body composition and increases muscle strength in elderly sarcopenic men: a randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Nutrition, 114(8), 1237–1245. 
  • Praet, S. F. E., Purdam, C. R., Welvaert, M., Vlahovich, N., Lovell, G., Burke, L. M., Gaida, J. E., Manzanero, S., Hughes, D., & Waddington, G. (2019). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides combined with calf-strengthening exercises enhances function and reduces pain in Achilles tendinopathy patients. Nutrients, 11(1), 76.
  • Clifford, T., Ventress, M., Allerton, D. M., Stansfield, S., Tang, J. C. Y., Fraser, W. D., Vanhoecke, B., Prawitt, J., & Stevenson, E. (2019). The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: a randomized, controlled trial. Amino Acids, 51(4), 691–704.
  • Dressler, P., Gehring, D., Zdzieblik, D., Oesser, S., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2018). Improvement of functional ankle properties following supplementation with specific collagen peptides in athletes with chronic ankle instability. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 17(2), 298–304.

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