Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UK - and one of the most demanding on elbow tendons, shoulder ligaments, and wrist connective tissue. Here's what padel actually asks of those tissues - and where collagen does and doesn't fit.
Padel has exploded in the UK over the last three years - and with it, a new wave of elbow, shoulder, and wrist complaints from players who fell in love with the game and ramped up their playing frequency faster than their connective tissue could adapt. Here's the honest picture of what padel does to your body - and where collagen fits in.
Why Padel Creates Specific Connective Tissue Problems
Padel combines the explosive lateral movement of squash with the overhead striking of tennis - and the enclosed court creates a high-ball-in-play percentage that means most rallies involve repeated striking, volleys, and smashes in quick succession. The result is a sport that places sustained, high-frequency stress on the elbow tendons, shoulder ligaments, and wrist connective tissue with every session.
Most new padel players underestimate this. The game is sociable, accessible, and enjoyable - which means people play more frequently than they would in a sport that felt harder. Three or four sessions per week from the start is common. For connective tissue that hasn't adapted to padel-specific movements, this frequency is a common recipe for overuse injuries.
Where Collagen Fits for Padel Players
The elbow tendons, shoulder ligaments, and wrist connective tissue most stressed by padel are all primarily collagen. When these tissues are loaded repeatedly beyond their repair capacity - through high playing frequency, insufficient recovery, or sudden increases in session volume - collagen breakdown outpaces repair and the familiar tendon pain pattern develops.
Hydrolysed collagen peptides supply the specific amino acids - glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline - used in tendon and ligament collagen synthesis. Collagen is a structural protein rather than a signalling agent: hydrolysed peptides are digested and absorbed as amino acids and short peptides, in the same way as any other dietary protein.
Research has investigated whether collagen taken shortly before exercise affects collagen turnover markers in tendon. Studies in this area typically use 5–15g daily, measured at 8–24 weeks, and the Published findings should be interpreted in the context of each study's ingredient, dose, design, duration, participant group and outcomes measured. That is why players who choose to take it usually do so 30–60 minutes before playing - it follows the timing used in the research, not a demonstrated outcome.
Revayo Prime provides 14.77g of FORTIGEL® Type I hydrolysed collagen peptides per serving alongside 189.9mg Vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones, skin, blood vessels, gums and teeth.
What Collagen Is and Isn't
- What it is: collagen is a structural protein and roughly 30% of the protein in the human body. It forms the framework of the elbow, shoulder and wrist tendons and ligaments that padel loads most heavily
- What it is made of: hydrolysed collagen peptides are unusually rich in glycine, proline and hydroxyproline - the amino acids of the collagen triple helix, present only in small amounts in whey, meat and other everyday protein sources
- What the research uses: trials in this area typically use 5–15g of collagen peptides daily and measure outcomes at 8–24 weeks. Revayo Prime's 14.77g sits inside that range, not above it
- What the Vitamin C does: Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones, skin, blood vessels, gums and teeth. That is the authorised health claim used by Revayo Prime, and it attaches to the Vitamin C
- What it is not: collagen is a food supplement, not a treatment for padel elbow or any other tendon problem, and it is not a substitute for load management, technique coaching or a physiotherapist
How Men Typically Take Collagen
Collagen Is Part of the Solution - Not All of It
- Build frequency gradually: if you're new to padel, increase your sessions per week gradually - connective tissue adaptation lags significantly behind the skill and fitness improvements that make you want to play more
- Technique matters: poor stroke mechanics - particularly excessive wrist snap and arm-dominant shots - dramatically increase elbow and shoulder tendon stress. A coach session early in your padel journey can prevent months of tendon problems
- Warm up properly: cold tendons are more vulnerable to overuse injury - a proper warm-up before playing reduces connective tissue injury risk significantly
- Daily collagen + Vitamin C: a named, specified peptide with a stated dose rather than a generic "collagen blend" - that is the part Revayo can actually stand behind
For the broader picture on supplements for active men, see best supplements for men over 35 who train.
Research context
Research relevant to padel players uses specific collagen peptide ingredients, doses, study designs and participant groups. Findings should be interpreted within those study conditions rather than treated as proof of a guaranteed result for every reader.
Published findings relate to the ingredient and outcomes studied. Revayo Prime is a food supplement and is not a substitute for professional advice, rehabilitation or medical care.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones, skin, blood vessels, gums and teeth. This authorised claim relates to the Vitamin C in Revayo Prime.
Keep Playing Your Best Padel All Year.
Revayo Prime - 14.77g FORTIGEL® hydrolysed collagen peptides + 189.9mg Vitamin C per serving. Made in the UK, no fillers and no proprietary blends. 450g pouch, 30 servings - £39.99, £1.33 a day.
Buy 3 and save £10 - a 90-day supply
Shop Revayo Prime →Free UK delivery · 30-day money-back guarantee
Further reading: Collagen for tennis elbow and climber's elbow - Does collagen help shoulder pain
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Revayo Prime is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have persistent or severe pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement programme.