The Effects of a High-Protein Diet on Markers of Muscle Damage Following Exercise in Active Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Supplementation with Whey Protein, but Not Pea Protein, Reduces Muscle Damage Following Long-Distance Walking in Older Adults

Background: Adequate animal-based protein intake can attenuate exercise induced-muscle damage (EIMD) in young adults. We examined the effects of 13 days plant-based (pea) protein supplementation compared to whey protein and placebo on EIMD in active older adults. Methods: 47 Physically active older adults (60+ years) were randomly allocated to the following groups: (I) whey protein (25 g/day), (II) pea protein (25 g/day) or (III) iso-caloric placebo. Blood concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle soreness were measured prior to and 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after a long-distance walking bout (20−30 km). Results: Participants walked 20−30 km and 2 dropped out, leaving n = 15 per subgroup. The whey group showed a significant attenuation of the increase in EIMD at 24 h post-exercise compared to the pea and placebo group (CK concentration: 175 ± 90 versus 300 ± 309 versus 330 ± 165, p = p < 0.001). No differences in LDH levels, muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass and muscle soreness were observed across groups (all p-values > 0.05). Conclusions: Thirteen days of pea protein supplementation (25 g/day) does not attenuate EIMD in older adults following a single bout of prolonged walking exercise, whereas the whey protein supplementation group showed significantly lower post-exercise CK concentrations.

Influence of High-Protein Food on Physical Function of Athletes

In order to explore how high-protein foods can achieve effects on athletes’ bodies, the authors propose a study based on athletes’ physical performance. This method recommends key technical problems and solutions through the information represented by the athlete’s physical function and discovers how high-protein foods enable research into athletic performance. Research has shown that athletes perform high-intensity sports training for a long time, in a state of high-intensity competition, the body’s energy metabolism is strong, and the protein consumption rate is high; protein foods can preserve protein, water, electrolytes, and other nutrientsand supplement about 71% of the body’s nutrition, and it helps to strengthen muscles, relieve sports fatigue, improve immunity, etc., which is of great significance to athletes.