The Effects of Whey Protein Supplements on Markers of Exercise-induced Muscle Damage in Resistance-trained Individuals
Condition: Muscle Damage; Muscle Soreness
MeSH terms: Myalgia
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Intense exercise can bring about various side effects to one's body. Less range of motion,
      increased pain sensitivity, increased muscle swelling, and decreased muscle strength can
      occur immediately after exercise. These side effects can be referred to exercise induced
      muscle damage (EIMD) and can sometimes last many days. This study's goal is to evaluate the
      effects of various protein supplements on EIMD symptoms as well as on blood vessel health
      during the recovery period after muscle damaging exercise.
    

Detailed description: 
      Eccentric exercise can result in exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD), which can cause an
      abundance of ultrastructural muscular disruption and pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant
      activity in the body, leading to an impairment of muscular force production and range of
      motion, along with elevated pain sensitivity, increased swelling, and arterial stiffness.
      Pasture-raised dairy products, obtained from strictly grass-fed cows, have been shown to
      possess more anti-inflammatory-, antioxidant-, and antihypertensive-like biochemicals
      compared with conventional products (i.e., with a different nutrient composition from a diet
      rich in grains versus grasses). However, human research trials on these products, such as
      whey protein concentrate (WPC), are neglected. This study addresses this gap, with a
      double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that compares the effect of conventional
      WPC versus WPC supplementation reported to be derived from pasture-raised cows on vascular
      function and indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation in response to eccentric EIMD
      in healthy, young, resistance-trained women and men. Thirty resistance-trained individuals
      will complete an intense EIMD bout consisting of eccentric barbell back squats and then will
      be assessed 24, 48, and 72 hours post-EIMD for muscle soreness, range of motion, maximal
      isometric voluntary contraction, peripheral fatigue via magnetic stimulation, countermovement
      jump, barbell back squat velocity, and vascular function (i.e., arterial stiffness via
      carotid femoral pulse wave velocity). Subjects will be grouped into a conventional WPC,
      pasture-raised WPC, and placebo supplementation group and consume their respective
      supplementation thrice daily immediately post-EIMD until the study's completion.
    

Intervention name(s): Pasture-raised whey protein; Conventional whey protein; Placebo
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): 25 grams of protein delivered 3 times daily; 25 grams of protein delivered 3 times daily; Iso-caloric placebo taken 3 times daily like the protein supplementation
Other intervention name(s): Premium Blend Protein, Pasture Raised, Grass Fed, unflavored, Muscle Feast, Nashport, OH, USA; 100% Whey Protein Powder, unflavored, TGS Nutrition, Las Vegas, NV, USA; Maltodextrin, Bulk Supplements, Henderson, NV, USA
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Basic Science