The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis and Performance Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation on myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) and muscle recovery over a 7-d period of intensified resistance training (RT). Methods: In a double-blind randomised parallel group design, 16 resistance-trained...

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Main Authors: Robert W. Davies, Joseph J. Bass, Brian P. Carson, Catherine Norton, Marta Kozior, Daniel J. Wilkinson, Matthew S. Brook, Philip J. Atherton, Ken Smith, Philip M. Jakeman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Nutrients
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/3/845
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Summary:Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation on myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) and muscle recovery over a 7-d period of intensified resistance training (RT). Methods: In a double-blind randomised parallel group design, 16 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 35 years completed a 7-d RT protocol, consisting of three lower-body RT sessions on non-consecutive days. Participants consumed a controlled diet (146 kJ&#183;kg<sup>&#8722;1</sup>&#183;d<sup>&#8722;1</sup>, 1.7 g&#183;kg<sup>&#8722;1</sup>&#183;d<sup>&#8722;1</sup> protein) with either a whey protein supplement or an isonitrogenous control (0.33 g&#183;kg<sup>&#8722;1</sup>&#183;d<sup>&#8722;1</sup> protein). To measure myoPS, 400 ml of deuterium oxide (D<sub>2</sub>O) (70 atom %) was ingested the day prior to starting the study and m. vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before and after RT-intervention. Myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Muscle recovery parameters (i.e., countermovement jump height, isometric-squat force, muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase) were assessed daily. Results: MyoFSR PRE was 1.6 (0.2) %∙d<sup>&#8722;1</sup> (mean (SD)). Whey protein supplementation had no effect on myoFSR (<i>p</i> = 0.771) or any recovery parameter (<i>p</i> = 0.390&#8722;0.989). Conclusions: Over an intense 7-d RT protocol, 0.33 g&#183;kg<sup>&#8722;1</sup>&#183;d<sup>&#8722;1</sup> of supplemental whey protein does not enhance day-to-day measures of myoPS or postexercise recovery in resistance-trained men.
ISSN:2072-6643