Can daily collagen supplementation reduce pain and improve recovery in firefighters?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16081130 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16081130 |
| Sponsor | BUBS Naturals |
| Funder | BUBS Naturals |
- Submission date
- 04/09/2026
- Registration date
- 07/09/2026
- Last edited
- 07/09/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Firefighters carry out physically demanding work that can place stress on their muscles and joints. Repeated exposure to heavy lifting, awkward movements, prolonged activity, and emergency situations may lead to muscle soreness, musculoskeletal pain, and difficulties with recovery. Maintaining good musculoskeletal health is important to help firefighters stay healthy and able to perform their duties safely.
Collagen is a protein that is found naturally in the body and is important for the structure of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Collagen supplements are widely available and may help support musculoskeletal health, but there is limited research investigating their effects in firefighters. This study aims to find out whether taking a daily collagen supplement for 12 weeks can reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve recovery in operational firefighters.
Who can participate?
Operational firefighters employed by Kent Fire and Rescue Service who are aged 18 to 55 years, willing to take part in the study, and able to provide informed consent can participate.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group takes 10 grams of a commercially available collagen supplement each day with breakfast for 12 weeks. The other group does not receive collagen supplementation.
Participants attend study assessments at the start of the study, after six weeks, and after 12 weeks. Musculoskeletal pain is measured using questionnaires and a technique called algometry. During algometry, controlled pressure is applied to specific muscle areas to measure sensitivity to pressure-related pain. This procedure is non-invasive, although it may cause temporary discomfort or mild soreness.
Information is also collected about participants' work activities, including shift patterns and operational workload. Researchers compare changes in musculoskeletal pain, recovery, soreness, and readiness for work between the two groups over the 12-week study period.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may not receive any direct benefit from taking part. However, they may gain a better understanding of their musculoskeletal health and recovery. The results could help researchers understand whether collagen supplementation is a useful strategy for supporting firefighter health and recovery.
The risks associated with participation are low. Algometry may cause temporary discomfort or mild, short-lived soreness. As with any dietary supplement, some people may experience minor unwanted effects, although commercially available collagen supplements are generally well tolerated.
Where is the study run from?
The University of East London and Kent Fire and Rescue Service in England, UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Participant recruitment began in January 2026 and ended in June 2026. The study is expected to be completed in September 2026.
Who is funding the study?
BUBS Naturals.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Drew Gonzalez, drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
Contact information
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
1802 Ave I
Huntsville
77341
United States of America
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-7279-4968 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +1 2107888616 |
| drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu |
Principal investigator
University of East London, University Way
London
E16 2RD
United Kingdom
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-2057-6587 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)20 8223 2371 |
| L.Brown@uel.ac.uk |
Principal investigator
6725 Edloe St
Houston
77018
United States of America
| Phone | +1 512.537.1541 |
|---|---|
| drnickbarringer@drnickbarringer.com |
Scientific
Fort Worth Fire Department
509 West Felix Street
Fort Worth, TX
76115
United States of America
| Phone | +1 360-393-5702 |
|---|---|
| Brian.Newman@fortworthtexas.gov |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Blinded (masking used) |
| Control | Placebo |
| Assignment | Parallel |
| Purpose | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | 50215_PIS.pdf |
| Scientific title | Investigating the effects of collagen supplements on firefighters |
| Study acronym | COLLAGEN-FIRE |
| Study objectives | The study investigates whether daily collagen supplementation can reduce musculoskeletal pain and support recovery, musculoskeletal health, and occupational readiness in firefighters exposed to the physical demands of firefighting. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether 12 weeks of daily collagen supplementation reduces musculoskeletal pain in operational firefighters compared with a no-supplementation control condition. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effects of collagen supplementation on recovery, perceived soreness, musculoskeletal health, and occupational readiness, and to explore the relationship between occupational workload and musculoskeletal pain and recovery. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 27/08/2025, University of East London (University Way, London, E16 2RD, United Kingdom; +44 0208223 6683; researchethics@uel.ac.uk), ref: ETH2526-0015 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Musculoskeletal pain, soreness, and recovery in operational firefighters |
| Intervention | This is a 12-week, two-arm randomized controlled trial investigating daily collagen supplementation compared with a no-supplementation control condition in operational firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Following informed consent and completion of baseline assessments, eligible participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the collagen supplementation group or the no-supplementation control group using a computer-generated random allocation sequence. Participants allocated to the intervention group receive a standardized, commercially available collagen supplement and are instructed to consume 10 g once daily with breakfast for 12 consecutive weeks. The intervention is not individually titrated or tailored; all participants allocated to the collagen group receive the same daily dose and supplementation schedule. Participants consume the supplement independently under free-living conditions as part of their normal daily routine. Participants allocated to the control group receive no collagen supplementation during the 12-week study period and continue their usual dietary and occupational practices. Adherence to the collagen supplementation protocol is monitored through weekly check-ins and supplement logs. No planned dose adjustments or tailoring of the intervention are undertaken. Any deviations or modifications required for participant safety or other unforeseen circumstances are documented. |
| Intervention type | Supplement |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Completion date | 18/09/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 30 |
| Total final enrolment | 30 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Active operational firefighter engaged in frontline duties with Kent Fire and Rescue Service 2. Aged 18–55 years at the time of enrolment 3. Able and willing to provide informed consent 4. Willing and able to participate in the 12-week study and complete the required study assessments |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Pre-existing musculoskeletal disorder requiring medical treatment 2. Current use of collagen supplements |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/01/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 12/06/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Maidstone
ME15 6XB
England
London
E16 2RD
England
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 04/09/2026 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 50215_PIS.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
04/09/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the University of East London, UK.
