Vegan or Animal Protein Ingestion on the Recovery of Muscle Function Following Exercise

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will assess the effect of daily post-exercise vegan (pea) and animal (whey) protein ingestion compared to placebo over 7 days of recovery from strenuous exercise. Muscle strength and soreness will be measured daily, and mechanisms underpinning recovery will be investigated in muscle biopsies taken 3, 24 and 48 hours after exercise.

Detailed Description
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Strenuous exercise can cause muscle soreness and reduced muscle strength. It is widely acknowledged that nutritional supplements derived from animal protein sources, including whey from milk, aids recovery when taken immediately after strenuous exercise. However, the effect of vegan protein supplements are less understood, and how they affect recovery of strength and soreness is not known. This is an important area of research due to the increasing demand for plant-based protein.

Official Title
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The Effect of Vegan or Animal Protein Ingestion on the Recovery of Skeletal Muscle Function Following Strenuous Exercise

Conditions
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Muscle Recovery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Recovery animal (20g whey) protein supplement
* Dietary Supplement: Recover vegan (26g pea) protein supplement
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo (32g maltodextrin)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Recreationally active 18-40 years of age Exclusion Criteria: Regular and structured involvement in resistance training Inactive participants Habitual dietary protein intake <0.8g/kg bw/day and >2.0g/kg bw/day Use of nutritional supplements Any diagnosed metabolic conditions (diabetes), cardiovascular disease or hypertension Current musculoskeletal injury Use of anti-inflammatory medicines Individuals with non -removable metallic implants (including heart pacemaker, cochlea implants, medication pumps, surgical clips, plates or screws) or claustrophobia Individuals with an allergy to egg, fish, wheat or soy ingredients as the product is manufactured in a facility that contains these ingredients

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Animal Protein<br> | Dietary Supplement: Recovery animal (20g whey) protein supplement<br>* Animal protein supplement consumed post exercise to aid recovery of muscle function following strenuous exercise.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Vegan Protein<br> | Dietary Supplement: Recover vegan (26g pea) protein supplement<br>* Vegan protein supplement consumed post exercise to aid recovery of muscle function following strenuous exercise.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br> | Dietary Supplement: Placebo (32g maltodextrin)<br>* Placebo consumed post exercise to aid recovery of muscle function following strenuous exercise.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in isokinetic work (W30) performed before and every 24 h after performing 300 maximal eccentric quadriceps contractions. | The recovery of skeletal muscle isokinetic force production following eccentric exercise using an isokinetic dynamometer | Once per 24 hour period for 7 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perceived quadriceps muscle soreness | Soreness will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to determine whether the protein supplement can reduce muscle soreness following eccentric exercise. This scale will represent a 100mm line with no pain and worst pain anchored at either end of the scale. | Once per 24 hour period for 7 days | 
| Muscle swelling | Determine whether the protein supplement can reduce muscle swelling following eccentric exercise assessed using MRI | Once per 24 hour period for 3 days | 
| Rate of protein incorporation into the muscle | Determine whether the strenuous exercise and a protein supplement can upregulate protein synthesis following strenuous exercise assessed by muscle biopsies | Once per 24 hour period for 3 days | 
| Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity before and every 24 h after performing 300 maximal eccentric quadriceps contractions. | Damage and inflammatory bio markers following strenuous exercise assessed by blood sample | Once per 24 hour period for 7 days | 
| Change in flow mediated dilation | Determine whether the protein polyphenol supplement can impact vascular function following eccentric exercise | Once hourly post exercise for 3 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Muscle Strength, Musculoskeletal Physiology, Muscle, Skeletal, Whey Proteins, Plant Proteins, Dietary supplements