Combined whey protein and collagen supplementation significantly boosts muscle mass and lumbar spine BMD in resistance-trained men

Maintaining robust musculoskeletal health is paramount for athletic performance and overall longevity, with muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) serving as critical indicators. While whey protein is a well-established nutritional intervention for promoting muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained individuals, its direct and substantial impact on bone health is often less pronounced. Conversely, collagen peptides are widely recognized for their beneficial roles in supporting connective tissues and the bone matrix, yet their isolated effect on muscle mass is typically considered secondary. A significant research gap exists in understanding the potential synergistic effects of combining these two distinct protein sources to optimize both muscle and bone adaptations in physically active populations. This study aimed to investigate whether a combined supplementation approach could offer superior benefits compared to individual supplementation strategies.

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 40 resistance-trained men, who were randomly allocated to one of four groups. All participants completed an 8-week supervised resistance training program, consisting of 3 sessions/week. The intervention groups received either WP + C (30 g/day whey protein + 10 g/day collagen), WP (30 g/day whey protein), C (10 g/day collagen), or a placebo (10 g/day maltodextrin). The primary outcome measured was muscle mass, assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Secondary outcomes included lumbar spine BMD, determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), 1-repetition maximum (1RM) squat and bench press strength, and bone turnover biomarkers (P1NP and CTX-I). Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVA or non-parametric alternatives on pre-to-post change scores, with post hoc testing for between-group comparisons.