Application of chondroitin in sports

Author: Frédéric Delavier and Michel Gundill: Chapter from the book "Sports Supplements for Athletes".
2011-10-29

Chondroitin sulfate is a component of cartilage. The main study examining its effectiveness was conducted by P. Mathieu (2002). Over two years, 300 patients suffering from arthritis either took chondroitin (800 milligrams orally once a day) or a placebo. After two years, those who received the placebo showed an average cartilage thickness reduction of about 5%. Thanks to chondroitin, no such deterioration occurred.

Like glucosamine, chondroitin appears to have a significant positive effect. Although this and other studies have shown some effectiveness of chondroitin, there are also studies that found no effect of this supplement on health improvement.

The use of chondroitin, especially by athletes, generates even more debate than the use of glucosamine. Indeed, there are strong doubts regarding the feasibility of using chondroitin.

• Researchers have studied chondroitin less than glucosamine.
• Orally taken chondroitin is absorbed worse than glucosamine.
• The cost of chondroitin is much higher than that of glucosamine.
• It seems that the mechanisms of action of glucosamine and chondroitin are quite similar. Increasing the dose of chondroitin does not lead to increased effectiveness, which automatically occurs when adding chondroitin to glucosamine.

Conclusion

It seems reasonable to primarily prefer glucosamine. In principle, chondroitin can be added if your budget allows it or if you truly feel the need. For example, you can buy a supplement that already contains a ready-made mixture of chondroitin and glucosamine, such as Joint Formula by Dobromil Fit, or a similar product.