Training & Nutrition for Stronger Tendons and Resilience

It’s a rare climber that has never experienced finger, elbow or shoulder pain. In fact, if you’re a hard-training climber fond of pushing your limits, then there’s a good chance that at some point you’ve experienced pain and perhaps injury in all three sites. It’s sad but true: rock climbing is hard on our connective tissues.

Now the good news: A growing body of recent research indicates that you can play an active role in developing healthier, stronger connective tissues! The figure below reveals the proven methodology.

 

Use This Process Cycle to Achieve These Evidence-based Outcomes:

• Increase exercise-induced collagen synthesis in connective tissues. 1,2, 3,13
• Accelerate recovery from strenuous plyometric (power) training. 4
• Reduce joint pain both during exercise and rest. 5,6,7,13
• Improve clinical outcomes from injuries when combined with heavy isometric or eccentric training. 8,9,10
• Improve Rate of Force Development and tendon hypertrophy, stiffness and mechanical properties when combined with strength training compared to strength training alone.11,12,14
• Improvements in skin hydration, skin elasticity, GERD, Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 15

The many professional climbers now using PhysiVāntage demonstrate that the proof is in the pudding, er, Supercharged Collagen (and our vegan alternative Powerplex)!

This new technology is not a magic bullet, however. The benefits develop slowly via regular pre-exercise consumption of Vitamin C-enriched hydrolyzed collagen coupled with targeted training of the critical body parts. The Figure above depicts the process cycle that can help a disciplined climber improve connective tissue health, reduce joint pain, and recover more quickly from strenuous exercise.

The science behind these recent discoveries is exciting, and it refutes many common criticisms of collagen supplementation. This is a classic example of how emerging research gradually supplants outdated science and dogma. If you’re interested in learning more of the fascinating biochemistry and biophysics involved, visit the following links to read about tendon/ligament plasticity, tendon structure and muscle matrix, tendon adaptations (and hypertrophy!), some of the causes of tendinopathy and injury, and how to best nourish your tendons and ligaments. Peruse the latest peer-reviewed studies here >>

Based on this research, PhysiVāntage has developed Supercharged Collagen™. Our proprietary formula augments top-grade (grass-fed, non-GMO) hydrolyzed collagen with vitamin C and l-leucine to increase collagen synthesis and anabolic signaling. Rich in the collagen-building amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, Supercharged Collagen is further enhanced with l-tryptophan, making it a “complete protein” source delivering all essential amino acids. In aggregate, Supercharged Collagen is the most advanced connective tissue support supplement available for hard-training athletes.

Note: We have also developed a novel collagen alternative for plant-based athletes, such as PhysiVāntage pros Alex Megos and Jonathan Siegrist — it's called POWERPLEX protein! Read more here >>

Drew Ruana uses Supercharged Collagen daily for injury resistance and to aid in skin recovery. Read more about Drew's hard bouldering here >>

A Few of the 300+ Five-Star Reviews of Supercharged Collagen!

• For a limited time, receive 15% off your first order of Supercharged Collagen with the discount code “SEND15” at checkout.

• Subscribe to Supercharged Collagen and get 15% off for life!

• Or, save 20% when you buy 4.

References:

1. Shaw, G. et al. Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before intermittent activity augments collagen synthesis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2016; 105(1).

2. Shaw, G., et al. Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation prior to intermittent exercises: Strategies to enhance anabolism: Nutr. Metab. 2017; 105:136-43.

3. Baar, K. Minimizing injury and maximizing return to play: Lessons from engineered ligaments. Sports Medicine 2017 Mar; 47:S5-S11.

4. Clifford, T. The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: a randomized, controlled trial. Amino Acids April 2019, Volume 51, Issue 4, pp 691–704.

5. Clark, K.L., et al. 24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Curr. Med.Res. 2008; Opin.24: 1485–1496

6. De Paz-Lugo, P., et al. High glycine concentration increases collagen synthesis by articular chondrocytes—Acute glycine deficiency could be an important case of osteoarthritis. Amino Acids. 2018; 50(10): 1357-1365. 

7. Zdzieblik, D., et al. Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2017.

8. Praet, S., Purdam, C., et al. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides combined with calf-strengthening exercises enhances function and reduces pain in Achilles tendinopathy patients. Nutrients 2019; 11,76.

9. Shaw, G. Rehabilitation and nutrition protocols for optimising return to play from traditional ACL reconstruction in elite rugby union players: A case study. Journal of Sport Science. April 2019.

10. Baar, K. Stress Relaxation and Targeted Nutrition to Treat Patellar Tendinopathy. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 2018.

11. Lis, D, et al. Collagen and Vitamin C Supplementation Increases Lower Limb Rate of Force Development. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism2022.

12. Jerger, S. et al. Effects of specific collagen peptide supplementation combined with resistance training on Achilles tendon properties. Wiley. 2022.

13. Khatri, M. et al. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids. 2021.

14. Lee, J. et al. Collagen supplementation augments changes in patellar tendon properties in female soccer players. Frontiers in Physiology. 2023.

15. Wang, H. A review of the effects of collagen treatment in clinical studies. Polymers. 2021.

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