Abstract
Whey protein (WP) is a widely consumed nutritional supplement, known to enhance strength and muscle mass during resistance training (RT) regimens. Muscle protein anabolism is acutely elevated following RT, which is further enhanced by WP. As a result, there is reason to suggest that WP supplementation may be an effective nutritional strategy for restoring the acute loss of contractile function that occurs following strenuous RT. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a synthesis of the literature to date, investigating the effect of WP supplementation on the recovery of contractile function in young, healthy adults. Eight studies, containing 13 randomised control trials (RCTs) were included in this review and meta-analysis, from which individual standardised effect sizes (ESs) were calculated, and a temporal overall ES was determined using a random-effects model. Whilst only half of the individual studies reported beneficial effects for WP, the high-quality evidence taken from the 13 RCTs was meta-analysed, yielding overall positive small to medium effects for WP from < 24 to 96 h (ES range = 0.4 to 0.7), for the temporal restoration of contractile function compared to the control treatment. Whilst the effects for WP were shown to be consistent over time, these results are limited to 13 RCTs, principally supporting the requirement for further comprehensive research in this area.
Highlights
IntroductionThe ability to sustain high-quality exercise performance during periods of intense training is a key component for optimal and efficient progression
Resistance training (RT) is used to increase lean mass, strength, and physical function [1].The ability to sustain high-quality exercise performance during periods of intense training is a key component for optimal and efficient progression
Studies were excluded from the review and meta-analysis if: (1) the Whey protein (WP) supplement was co-ingested with any other ergogenic aid(s) evidenced to enhance muscle function; (2) insufficient data was reported to conduct statistical analysis and/or to confirm eligibility; (3) any other temporal therapeutic intervention was conducted during the recovery period; and/or (4) data had been duplicated or reported elsewhere
Summary
The ability to sustain high-quality exercise performance during periods of intense training is a key component for optimal and efficient progression. Strenuous RT can evoke damage or deformation to the working muscle, limiting its capacity to produce force—this may persist for hours or days before full recovery, reducing general ‘muscle function’ [2,3]. During any subsequent training/performance bout a reduction in muscle function will impair quality and intensity, and is, potentially injurious to the athlete. Protein ingestion is thought to enhance peri-training recovery of muscle function, but the extant literature is, to date, equivocal. Whey protein (WP) is a high-quality source of protein, rich in essential amino acids, known to enhance muscle protein synthesis (MPS) post-exercise [4,5,6,7]
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