Evidence has shown that protein supplementation following resistance exercise training (RET) helps to further enhance muscle mass and strength. Studies have demonstrated that collagen peptides containing mostly non-essential amino acids increase fat-free mass (FFM) and strength in sarcopenic men. The aim of this study was to investigate whether collagen peptide supplementation in combination with RET influences the protein composition of skeletal muscle. Twenty-five young men (age: 24.2 ± 2.6 years, body mass (BM): 79.6 ± 5.6 kg, height: 185.0 ± 5.0 cm, fat mass (FM): 11.5% ± 3.4%) completed body composition and strength measurements and vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before and after a 12-week training intervention. In a double-blind, randomized design, subjects consumed either 15 g of specific collagen peptides (COL) or a non-caloric placebo (PLA) every day within 60 min after their training session. A full-body hypertrophy workout was completed three times per week and included four exercises using barbells. Muscle proteome analysis was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). BM and FFM increased significantly in COL compared with PLA, whereas no differences in FM were detected between the two groups. Both groups improved in strength levels, with a slightly higher increase in COL compared with PLA. In COL, 221 higher abundant proteins were identified. In contrast, only 44 proteins were of higher abundance in PLA. In contrast to PLA, the upregulated proteins in COL were mostly associated with the protein metabolism of the contractile fibers. In conclusion, the use of RET in combination with collagen peptide supplementation results in a more pronounced increase in BM, FFM, and muscle strength than RET alone. More proteins were upregulated in the COL intervention most of which were associated with contractile fibers.

We aimed to determine the effects of long-term collagen peptide (CP) supplementation and resistance exercise training (RET) on body composition, strength, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (fCSA) in recreationally active men. Fifty-seven young men were randomly and double-blinded divided into a group receiving either collagen peptides (COL, 15 g/day) or a placebo (PLA). Strength testing, bioimpedance analysis, and muscle biopsies were used prior to and after an RET intervention. Food record protocols were performed during the RET intervention. The groups trained three times a week for 12 weeks. Baseline parameters showed no differences between groups, and the external training load and dietary food intake were also similar. COL showed a significant increase in fat-free mass (FFM) compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Body fat mass (BFM) was unchanged in COL, whereas a significant increase in BFM was observed in PLA. Both groups showed significant increases in all strength tests, with a trend for a slightly more pronounced effect in COL. The fCSA of type II muscle fibers increased significantly in both groups without differences between the two groups. We firstly demonstrated improved body composition in healthy, recreationally active men subsequent to prolonged CP supplementation in combination with RET. As the observed increase in FFM was not reflected in differences in fCSA hypertrophy between groups, we assume enhanced passive connective tissue adaptations in COL due to CP intake.

Background Good eyesight is a basic precondition for safety but also for performance in sports. Vision has a crucial importance for movement control and balance regulation. Vision helps anticipating, e.g. fast movements in ball games as well as potential accident risks e.g. in one-on-one-situations in football or handball. Investigations show that about 20% of all elite athletes exert their sport ametropic. Nevertheless regular and meaningful visual tests for the analysis of the multidimensional visual performance and the detection of ametropia are only integrated in the health diagnostics of a few sports. Objective Aim of the study was to analyze current data of German elite athletes concerning ametropia or different parameters of visual performance; especially considering parameters that are also tested by optometrists or ophthalmologists. Participants The study is based on a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional eye test data from different national teams (n=553; age: 21.0±4.0 years) which were collected in the annual routine health check in the last three years (2013–2015). Results About 27.5% of athletes use visual aids in daily life, whereas 33.3% of athletes with ametropia are practicing their sports without an optical correction. The median of the (monocular) visual acuity is about 1.85 for men and 1.80 for women (maximum-values considerably above 2.50). Altogether there are 22.6% athletes that are detected as ametropic and thus in need of correction. Conclusions All results mentioned and further literature searches show that good eyesight is important from the perception physiology and injury prevention point of view. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth and motion perception etc. have a significant influence on performance and quality of sports – depending on the specific demands of the discipline. Visual function tests should be included in health diagnostics in order to be able to detect and subsequently correct visual deficiencies at an early stage.