Combined Whey Protein and Collagen Supplementation in Resistance-Trained Men

NCT07171411 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: IAU.Ilk.C.162911421.2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study tested whether taking whey protein together with collagen peptides would provide greater benefits for muscle and bone health compared to whey protein alone, collagen alone, or a placebo. Forty healthy, resistance-trained men aged 18-35 years were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) whey protein plus collagen (30 g + 10 g/day), (2) whey protein only (30 g/day), (3) collagen only (10 g/day), or (4) placebo (maltodextrin). All participants followed a supervised resistance training program (3 times per week) for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was muscle mass, measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Secondary outcomes included bone mineral density (DXA scans), maximal strength (1RM squat and bench press), and blood markers of bone turnover (P1NP and CTX-I). Results showed that the whey + collagen group achieved the largest improvements in muscle growth, lumbar spine bone mineral density, strength, and favorable changes in bone turnover markers compared to all other groups. No serious side effects were reported, and supplement adherence was very high. These findings suggest that combining whey protein and collagen may be a practical strategy to support muscle and bone adaptation in resistance-trained men.

Conditions

Muscle Hypertrophy; Bone Mineral Density Loss; Resistance Training Adaptation

Keywords

Whey Protein; Collagen Peptides; Resistance Training; Muscle Mass; Bone Mineral Density; Bone Turnover Biomarkers; Strength Training; Protein Supplementation; Hypertrophy; Sports Nutrition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Muscle Mass (kg, lean body mass by BIA)

  Muscle mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Measurements were conducted under standardized conditions (≥8 h fasted, no exercise or caffeine for ≥12 h, urine specific gravity \<1.020). Values reported as lean body mass (kg). Primary analysis compared changes between Whey + Collagen, Whey only, Collagen only, and Placebo groups after 8 weeks of supplementation combined with resistance training.

  Baseline (week 0) to 8 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

  Baseline to 8 weeks

• Change in Femoral Neck Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

  Baseline to 8 weeks

• Change in Squat Strength (1RM)

  Baseline to 8 weeks

• Change in Bench Press Strength (1RM)

  Baseline to 8 weeks

• Change in Procollagen Type I N-Terminal Propeptide (P1NP)

  Baseline to 8 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Whey Protein + Collagen (WP+C)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received 30 g/day whey protein isolate plus 10 g/day type I \& III collagen peptides, split into two daily doses (morning and post-exercise or at same time on rest days). Supplements were packaged in identical sachets.

Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein + Collagen

Whey Protein Only (WP)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received 30 g/day whey protein isolate, split into two daily doses. Packaged identically to other interventions to maintain blinding.

Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein

Collagen Only (C)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received 10 g/day type I \& III collagen peptides, split into two daily doses. Identical packaging ensured blinding.

Dietary Supplement: Collagen Peptides

Placebo (P)

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants received 10 g/day maltodextrin (isocaloric with protein groups), provided in identical sachets to ensure blinding.

Other: Maltodextrin (Placebo)

Interventions

Whey Protein + Collagen DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants consumed 30 g/day whey protein isolate (Optimum Nutrition) combined with 10 g/day type I \& III collagen peptides (Vital Proteins). Supplements were provided as single-dose sachets, identical in appearance, and taken twice daily (morning and post-exercise or same time on rest days) for 8 weeks.

Whey Protein + Collagen (WP+C)

Whey Protein DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants consumed 30 g/day whey protein isolate (Optimum Nutrition), in identical sachets, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.

Whey Protein Only (WP)

Collagen Peptides DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants consumed 10 g/day type I \& III collagen peptides (Vital Proteins), in identical sachets, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.

Collagen Only (C)

Maltodextrin (Placebo) OTHER

Participants consumed 10 g/day maltodextrin powder (isocaloric to protein supplements), packaged identically, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.

Placebo (P)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 18-35 years
• At least 1 year of consistent resistance training experience (≥3 sessions per week, targeting major muscle groups)
• Healthy, with no history of musculoskeletal, metabolic, or cardiovascular disorders
• No current or recent (\<6 months) use of anabolic steroids, growth hormones, or performance-enhancing substances
• Non-smoker and no habitual use of anti-inflammatory medications
• Able and willing to comply with supplementation and supervised training program
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in similar supplementation studies in the past 6 months
• Recent fractures or surgeries affecting musculoskeletal health (\<6 months)
• Known allergy or intolerance to dairy proteins or collagen supplements
• Inability to attend scheduled supervised resistance training sessions
• Non-adherence to dietary control requirements (e.g., use of additional protein/creatine supplements during study)
• Any condition deemed by investigators to interfere with study compliance or safety

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University: lead
• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: collaborator
• Islamic Azad University of Mashhad: collaborator
• Manisa Celal Bayar University: collaborator
• Muş Alparslan University: collaborator
• Pamukkale University: collaborator
• Australian Catholic University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Health Sciences

Ankara, Etlik, 06200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypertrophy

Interventions

Whey Proteins; Collagen; maltodextrin

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Milk Proteins; Animal Proteins, Dietary; Dietary Proteins; Proteins; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Whey; Milk; Dairy Products; Food; Diet, Food, and Nutrition; Physiological Phenomena; Food and Beverages; Biopolymers; Polymers; Macromolecular Substances; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Scleroproteins

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Double-blind design extended to all relevant parties. Supplements were provided in identical, opaque sachets to ensure concealment. Randomization sequence was managed by an independent statistician not involved in data collection or analysis. Participants, trainers, investigators, and outcome assessors remained blinded to group assignments until completion of analyses.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned into one of four parallel groups (Whey + Collagen, Whey only, Collagen only, Placebo). Each group received its allocated supplementation daily for 8 weeks in combination with a standardized resistance training program. Groups were followed concurrently with no crossover.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 6, 2025
• First Posted: September 12, 2025
• Study Start: January 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2024
• Study Completion: April 10, 2024
• Last Updated: September 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: De-identified IPD, study protocol, and statistical analysis plan will be available starting 6 months after publication of the trial results. Data will remain available for a period of 5 years thereafter.
• Access Criteria: Qualified academic and clinical researchers may request access to de-identified participant data, along with the study protocol and statistical analysis plan. Requests must be submitted in writing to the corresponding author and will be reviewed by the research team in consultation with the Institutional Review Board. Access will be granted for scientifically valid proposals. Data will be shared through secure transfer methods in compliance with data protection regulations.

Locations

TU (1)