Suplementação de colágeno na recuperação de lesões osteocondrais, ósseas e cartilaginosas em praticantes de exercício físico: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of collagen supplementation as an adjunct in the recovery of bone, cartilage, and osteochondral injuries in physically active individuals. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted. The search was carried out in the PubMed and SciELO databases using DeCS and MeSH descriptors. Randomized clinical trials published between 2009 and 2025 were included, involving physically active individuals with bone, cartilage, osteochondral injuries, or exercise-related joint discomfort. Reviews, observational studies, animal models, and clinical populations unrelated to physical activity were excluded. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Ten studies were included, totaling 744 participants. Collagen supplementation in the form of hydrolyzed type II collagen, undenatured type II collagen, a collagen I + III + HC-II blend, or type I collagen peptides demonstrated statistically significant reductions in pain and improvements in joint function in conditions such as osteoarthritis, meniscopathy, tendinopathy, and exercise-induced discomfort. However, it remains uncertain to what extent these effects represent clinically relevant improvement for individuals, given the variability among protocols and the modest magnitude of the effects. Only one study evaluated bone tissue, with no relevant differences. Conclusion: Supplementation with some types of collagen shows positive results for pain and joint function in physically active individuals; however, its clinical relevance and its effects on bone tissue still require more robust investigation.