Daytime pattern of post-exercise protein intake affects whole-body protein turnover in resistance-trained males

• Main Authors: Moore Daniel R, Areta Jose, Coffey Vernon G, Stellingwerff Trent, Phillips Stuart M, Burke Louise M, Cléroux Marilyn, Godin Jean-Philippe, Hawley John A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: Nutrition & Metabolism
• Subjects: Protein intake; Protein metabolism; Exercise training; Hypertrophy; Lean body mass
• Online Access: http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/9/1/91

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pattern of protein intake following exercise may impact whole-body protein turnover and net protein retention. We determined the effects of different protein feeding strategies on protein metabolism in resistance-trained young men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participants were randomly assigned to ingest either 80g of whey protein as 8x10g every 1.5h (PULSE; n=8), 4x20g every 3h (intermediate, INT; n=7), or 2x40g every 6h (BOLUS; n=8) after an acute bout of bilateral knee extension exercise (4x10 repetitions at 80% maximal strength). Whole-body protein turnover (Q), synthesis (S), breakdown (B), and net balance (NB) were measured throughout 12h of recovery by a bolus ingestion of [¹⁵N]glycine with urinary [¹⁵N]ammonia enrichment as the collected end-product.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PULSE Q rates were greater than BOLUS (~19%, P<0.05) with a trend towards being greater than INT (~9%, P=0.08). Rates of S were 32% and 19% greater and rates of B were 51% and 57% greater for PULSE as compared to INT and BOLUS, respectively (P<0.05), with no difference between INT and BOLUS. There were no statistical differences in NB between groups (P=0.23); however, magnitude-based inferential statistics revealed likely small (mean effect±90%CI; 0.59±0.87) and moderate (0.80±0.91) increases in NB for PULSE and INT compared to BOLUS and possible small increase (0.42±1.00) for INT vs. PULSE.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the pattern of ingested protein, and not only the total daily amount, can impact whole-body protein metabolism. Individuals aiming to maximize NB would likely benefit from repeated ingestion of moderate amounts of protein (~20g) at regular intervals (~3h) throughout the day.</p>