Effects of Whey and Pea Protein Supplementation on Post-Eccentric Exercise Muscle Damage: A Randomized Trial.

Catherine Lefranc-Millot,Kevin A Zwetsloot,Xintang Wang,David C Nieman,Andrew J Simonson,Andrew T Hoyle,Laetitia Guérin-Deremaux,Heather K Nelson

doi:10.3390/nu12082382

Catherine Lefranc-Millot, Kevin A Zwetsloot + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082382

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Abstract

This randomized trial compared pea protein, whey protein, and water-only supplementation on muscle damage, inflammation, delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), and physical fitness test performance during a 5-day period after a 90-min eccentric exercise bout in non-athletic non-obese males (n = 92, ages 18–55 years). The two protein sources (0.9 g protein/kg divided into three doses/day) were administered under double blind procedures. The eccentric exercise protocol induced significant muscle damage and soreness, and reduced bench press and 30-s Wingate performance. Whey protein supplementation significantly attenuated post-exercise blood levels for biomarkers of muscle damage compared to water-only, with large effect sizes for creatine kinase and myoglobin during the fourth and fifth days of recovery (Cohen’s d > 0.80); pea protein versus water supplementation had an intermediate non-significant effect (Cohen’s d < 0.50); and no significant differences between whey and pea protein were found. Whey and pea protein compared to water supplementation had no significant effects on post-exercise DOMS and the fitness tests. In conclusion, high intake of whey protein for 5 days after intensive eccentric exercise mitigated the efflux of muscle damage biomarkers, with the intake of pea protein having an intermediate effect.

Highlights

Skeletal muscle comprises ~40–45% of the total mass and ~60% of the total body protein in humans, and accounts for ~30–45% of whole-body protein metabolism [1,2]
Participants returned at 7:00 a.m in an overnight fasted state four days in a row (Tuesday through to Friday) after the eccentric exercise bout (Monday), and provided each morning a delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) rating and blood sample followed by ingestion of protein (0.3 g/kg) with water or water only
Supplementation with pea protein compared to water had an intermediate but non-significant effect, with no differences found between pea and whey proteins

Summary

Introduction

Skeletal muscle comprises ~40–45% of the total mass and ~60% of the total body protein in humans, and accounts for ~30–45% of whole-body protein metabolism [1,2]. One study showed that 50 g/day doses of pea or whey protein during a 12-week resistance training period resulted in similar increases in muscle thickness relative to the placebo [35]. C-reactive protein (CRP) after an intense downhill treadmill run [36] This randomized trial compared pea protein, whey protein, and water-only supplementation on muscle damage, DOMS, inflammation (CRP), and exercise performance during a 5-day period after a. The three daily acute pea and whey protein doses (0.3 g/kg) differed in leucine content but both provided amounts within the recommended leucine intake range of 700–3000 mg [13]. We hypothesized that large daily doses (0.9 g/kg) of pea and whey proteins compared to water spread throughout each day of the 5-day period would counter exercise-induced muscle damage, DOMS, and performance decrements

Study Participants

Participants reported the Human

Blood Sample Analysis

Statistical Analysis

Results

90.6 ± 2.5 (Figures

Change in serum creatine

Discussion

Conclusions