Can Collagen Make You Faster on the Bike?

You’ve probably seen collagen marketed for hair, skin, and joints. But new research from Japan’s Juntendo University suggests it might have a legitimate role in performance — not by building muscle, but by changing how force transfers through the body.

In the 16-week study, participants took 10 g of collagen peptides daily. No new training plan, no diet changes. After four months, their muscles and tendons became stiffer — meaning they stored and released force more efficiently. MRI and ultrasound scans showed no increase in size or strength, but the rate of torque development (how quickly force can be applied) improved significantly.

That’s big because explosive strength — how fast you can produce force — matters for cyclists too. It’s what separates a smooth acceleration from a delayed one, a powerful sprint from a sluggish kick, even how well you stand up over short climbs. You’re not stronger; you’re just using the strength you have more efficiently.

What this might mean for us:

• Tendon stiffness isn’t bad — it can make force transfer from muscle to pedal faster.
• Collagen might help remodel those tissues when combined with consistent loading (think gym or sprint work).
• Timing could matter. Research from Keith Baar’s lab suggests taking collagen (15 g with vitamin C) about an hour before loading the tissue gives the amino acids time to circulate.
• It’s no magic powder — but for ageing athletes or anyone chasing resilience, tendon health is an underrated performance edge.

Bottom line:

Collagen might not make you bulkier or “stronger,” but if it improves how you transfer force, it could help you ride with more snap and less lag — a small but real win over time.

Reference:

Matsuda T, et al. Collagen peptide supplementation increases muscle stiffness and explosive strength in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025. PubMed 40623147

On my mindStill Chasing Better

Every week I see cycling do what few other things can.

This week, it was helping one guy fight jet lag before the Gran Fondo World Champs, another just setting up his first bike computer, both chasing their own version of better.

And that’s the thing I keep coming back to. Just when you think your competitive years are behind you, cycling hands you a way to live them again — to train, to aim, to feel progress. It bridges age, talent, and circumstance. It gives meaning on a Tuesday morning and purpose on a tired Sunday.

And it’s still just riding a bike.

That’s exactly why I love it.

Damian