Abstract
Objectives. This study investigated the effects of prolonged use of a protein (casein hydrolysate) supplement on perceived muscle soreness and fatigue, in international level Sevens rugby players (n=23) during a pre-season training camp. Methods. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. Players were assigned to a carbohydrate-only or an isocaloric carbohydrate and protein supplement and ingested the assigned supplement after each training session (17 field training sessions over a 23-day period). Before each training session a questionnaire and 10-point visual analogue scale was completed that assessed muscle soreness and muscle fatigue in the calf, hamstring, and quadriceps. Results. No significant differences were observed in leg fatigue in any of the muscle groups. However, muscle soreness was significantly lower in the experimental group in the quadriceps at Week 3, Day 5 (p=0.04) and calves at Week 4, Day 2 (p=0.02) and Day 3 (p=0.04). Additionally, no significant differences were found during the Heart rate Interval Monitoring System Test (p=0.350) used to determine training load recovery. Conclusion. The results suggest that prolonged use of a protein hydrolysate supplement may be beneficial in reducing muscle soreness, but not muscle fatigue, during periods of continuous high training loads. Keywords. Supplement, protein feeding, recovery
Highlights
Flakoll et al.[13] assessed post-exercise protein supplementation in US marine recruits during basic military training over 54 days. Both at day 34 (6 mile full gear hike) and day 54, protein supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in muscle soreness as well as other outcomes, such as a decreased total number of medical visits
Increased dietary protein intake led to a possible attenuation (4.3%; 90% confidence limits ×/÷5.4%) in the decrement in time trial performance after a block of high-intensity training compared with normal (Protein = 2639 ± 350 s; Control = 2555 ± 313 s)
The first important finding of this study was that towards the end of the study period, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) was perceived to be lower in the quadriceps and calf muscles of the players who ingested the CHO + PRO supplement, compared to those players who ingested an isocaloric CHO‐only control drink (Figs. 5‐7)
Summary
This study investigated the effects of prolonged use of a protein (casein hydrolysate) supplement on perceived muscle soreness and fatigue, in international level Sevens rugby players (n=23) during a pre-season training camp. Before each training session a questionnaire and 10‐point visual analogue scale was completed that assessed muscle soreness and muscle fatigue in the calf, hamstring, and quadriceps. No significant differences were observed in leg fatigue in any of the muscle groups. No significant differences were found during the Heart rate Interval Monitoring System Test (p=0.350) used to determine training load recovery. The results suggest that prolonged use of a protein hydrolysate supplement may be beneficial in reducing muscle soreness, but not muscle fatigue, during periods of continuous high training loads.
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