Muscle HypertrophyNCT07171411
Combined Whey Protein and Collagen Supplementation in Resistance-Trained Men
A study testing Whey Protein + Collagen, Whey Protein and Collagen Peptides in people with Muscle Hypertrophy and Bone Mineral Density Loss, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Muscle Hypertrophy, Bone Mineral Density Loss, Resistance Training Adaptation
- What is being tested?
- Whey Protein + Collagen, Whey Protein and Collagen Peptides
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 3 Jan 2024to 10 Apr 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
University of Health Sciences
Ankara, Etlik, 06200
About this study
Official title: The Combined Effects of Whey Protein and Collagen Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Mass in Resistance-Trained Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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).
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the combined effects of whey protein and collagen supplementation on muscle mass, bone mineral density (BMD), muscular strength, and bone turnover markers in resistance-trained men.
Forty healthy male participants (18-35 years, with ≥1 year of resistance training experience) were recruited and randomized into four parallel groups (n=10 per group):
Whey Protein + Collagen (30 g WP + 10 g collagen/day)
Whey Protein only (30 g/day)
Collagen only (10 g/day)
Placebo (10 g maltodextrin/day, isocaloric)
All supplements were provided in identical single-dose sachets to ensure blinding. Participants consumed one dose upon waking and one post-exercise (or same time on rest days). A standardized, supervised hypertrophy-oriented resistance training program (3 sessions/week for 8 weeks) was applied to all groups.
Primary outcome: Muscle mass (lean body mass, assessed with BIA at baseline and 8 weeks).
Secondary outcomes: Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (DXA), maximal squat and bench press strength (1RM), and serum biomarkers of bone turnover (P1NP and CTX-I).
The trial was approved by the Islamic Azad University IRB (Protocol No: IAU.Ilk.C.162911421.2024). All participants gave written informed consent. Compliance with supplementation was >90% and training adherence was >95%. No adverse events were reported.
- Being tested
- Whey Protein + Collagen, Whey Protein, Collagen Peptides, Maltodextrin (Placebo)
- Keywords
- Whey Protein, Collagen Peptides, Resistance Training, Muscle Mass, Bone Mineral Density, Bone Turnover Biomarkers, Strength Training, Protein Supplementation, Hypertrophy, Sports Nutrition
- Medical subject headings
- Hypertrophy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Whey Protein + CollagenDietary 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 ProteinDietary supplement
Participants consumed 30 g/day whey protein isolate (Optimum Nutrition), in identical sachets, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.
Collagen PeptidesDietary supplement
Participants consumed 10 g/day type I \& III collagen peptides (Vital Proteins), in identical sachets, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.
Maltodextrin (Placebo)Other
Participants consumed 10 g/day maltodextrin powder (isocaloric to protein supplements), packaged identically, taken twice daily for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: 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. Receives: 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. Receives: 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. Receives: Other: Maltodextrin (Placebo) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) to 8 weeks post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
BMD measured at lumbar spine (L1-L4) using DXA (Hologic Discovery A). Scans performed by trained technician with daily calibration.
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in Femoral Neck Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
BMD measured at femoral neck using DXA, reported in g/cm².
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in Squat Strength (1RM)
Maximal squat strength (kg) assessed via 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing under standardized protocol, supervised by certified trainers.
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in Bench Press Strength (1RM)
Maximal bench press strength (kg) assessed via standardized 1RM testing, supervised by certified trainers.
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in Procollagen Type I N-Terminal Propeptide (P1NP)
Serum P1NP, a marker of bone formation, measured via ELISA. Blood collected after overnight fast (7:00-9:00 AM), samples stored at -80°C.
Measured: Baseline to 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Sep 2025
- Study start3 Jan 2024
- Primary completion10 Mar 2024
- Study completion10 Apr 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Muscle HypertrophyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- 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.
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Muş Alparslan University, Pamukkale University, Australian Catholic University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07171411
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IAU.Ilk.C.162911421.2024
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 6 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) that support the findings of this study will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request from the corresponding author. Requests will require approval by the Islamic Azad University Institutional Review Board to ensure compliance with ethical and data protection regulations. Supporting documents such as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan will also be available. Data will be shared beginning 6 months after publication of the study results and remain accessible for 5 years.
Publications
Seyhan S, Jourkesh M, Salatin A, Acar G, Bilici MF, Girginer FG, Bilici OF, Soylu C. The combined effects of whey protein and collagen supplementation on bone mineral density and muscle mass in resistance-trained men: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 9. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01846-y. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42426859