Protein-energy; Imbalance, Recovery, Body Weight
Conditions
Brief summary
Dietary protein has been shown to be important to support physical training. For occupational demands such as military training, new recruits often fail to meet the recommended protein intake during basic training (BT), with negligible amounts consumed in the evening. As such, individuals undertaking BT may require higher intakes than the general population.This study assessed the influence of a daily bolus of protein prior to sleep on performance adaptations, body composition and recovery in British Army recruits.
Detailed description
Dietary protein is crucial for optimising physical training adaptations such as muscular strength and mass, which are key aims for athletic populations, including British Army recruits. New recruits fail to meet the recommended protein intake during basic training (BT), with negligible amounts consumed in the evening. This study aimed to assess the influence of a daily bolus of protein prior to sleep on performance adaptations, body composition and recovery in British Army recruits. The study will recruit a mixed cohort of \>120 new recruits from the United Kingdom (UK) British Army who will be randomised into a dietary control (CON), carbohydrate placebo (PLA), moderate (20g) protein (MOD) or high (60g) protein (HIGH) supplementation group. Supplements will be isocaloric and consumed daily on weekday evenings between 2000 and 2100h for 10 weeks during BT, alongside standardised dietary intake and BT activities. Performance tests (mid-thigh pull, medicine ball throw, 2km run time, maximal push-up and maximal vertical jump) and body composition will be assessed at the start and end of BT under standardised conditions. Dietary intake, energy expenditure, salivary hormones, urinary nitrogen balance, perceived muscle soreness, rating of perceived exertion, mood and fatigue will be assessed at the start, middle and end of BT. The underlying aim of this study is to assess whether inclusion of nocturnal protein supplementation will influence performance adaptations, body composition changes or acute recovery in British Army recruits.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTHigh protein supplement
The participants received a 60g protein bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTModerate protein supplement
The participants received a 20g protein bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCarbohydrate placebo
The participants received an isocaloric carbohydrate bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.
The participants did not receive any supplementation but instead acted as a control group doing BT only
Sponsors
University of Exeter
Anglia Ruskin University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Enrolled into British Army basic training * Medically fit to start Army training
Exclusion criteria
* Not taking any other nutritional supplement * Not currently pregnant * Not dairy or lactose intolerant or have any specific dietary requirements .
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lower body strength performance | 12 weeks | Mid-thigh pull |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body composition | 12 weeks | Fat-free mass |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed