Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation Timing on Performance, Recovery, and Hormonal Adaptations in Soccer Players

The Effect of Different Timing Strategies for Whey Protein Supplementation on Performance, Recovery, and Hormonal Adaptations in Soccer Players During a Simulated Intensive Match Period: A Comparative Analysis of Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Exercise Interventions

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20240603061995N2

Enrollment

Registered

2025-05-29

Start date

2025-07-22

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-07-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Condition 1: Athletic performance. Condition 2: Muscle Recovery. Condition 3: Hormonal Response.

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention Group 1: Whey Protein Isolate supplement (Applied Nutrition, UK), provided in single-dose powder sachets weighing 25 grams, was consumed daily, 30 minutes prior to trainin

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Male

Age

18 Years to 30 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Players with at least 1 year of professional or semi-professional soccer experience Aged 18 to 30 years No history of serious injuries No use of other supplements or specific medications during the study Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Diagnosis of chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension; Major surgery in the past 6 months, Use of similar supplements in the past 30 days, Allergy to whey protein or maltodextrin, Participation in another clinical trial

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Vertical jump height. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: Vertical jump with jump meter.;Perceived exertion. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: Borg Perceived exertion scale (RPE).;Serum testosterone. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.;Serum creatine kinase. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.;Serum Cortisol. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.	—

Measure

Time frame

Vertical jump height. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: Vertical jump with jump meter.;Perceived exertion. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: Borg Perceived exertion scale (RPE).;Serum testosterone. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.;Serum creatine kinase. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.;Serum Cortisol. Timepoint: Before intervention, 3 weeks after start, end of intervention. Method of measurement: ELISA Kit.

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Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactMorteza Jourkesh

Islamic Azad University

mjourkesh@ut.ac.ir+98 41 3443 9830

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026