How proteins and muscle stimulation help prevent muscle loss during bed rest

The Impact of Protein Source and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Muscle Protein Synthesis During Bed Rest - The Impact of Protein Source and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Muscle Protein Synthesis During Bed Rest

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

NL-OMON

Registry ID

NL-OMON58078

Enrollment

Registered

2025-02-12

Start date

2026-02-12

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-09

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

Conditions

Muscle growth, muscle anabolism Muscle growth

Interventions

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either plant-dominant (n=10) or dairy-based (n=10) enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube, combined with NMES on one leg during 4 days of strict bed

Eligibility

Age

18 Years to 64 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Healthy (assessed based on routine medical questionnaire)Males and females sexAged between 18 and 35 years inclusiveBMI between 18.5 and 30.0 kg/m²

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Vegan dietAllergies or intolerance to cow’s milk products, fish, soy, and/or pea proteinGalactosemiaSmoking on a weekly basis (i.e., every week)Diagnosed diabetes mellitusChronic corticosteroid useSevere kidney and/or liver failureDialysisBleeding disorders, including anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The effects of plant-dominant versus dairy-based proteins on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in healthy young individuals during a 4-day period of bed rest.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
To assess the effect of muscle stimulation using NMES on MPS in healthy young individuals during 4-days of bed rest, compared to no stimulation. Additionally, the study will assess the effects of plant-dominant versus dairy-based enteral protein intake during the 4-day bed rest on the following secondary outcomes:Muscle fiber CSA and mitochondrial contentMitochondrial respirationExpression and phosphorylation of proteins involved in the mTOR anabolic signaling and muscle protein breakdown pathwaysExpression of myogenic regulatory factorsGene expression of atrophy-related genes	—

Measure

Time frame

To assess the effect of muscle stimulation using NMES on MPS in healthy young individuals during 4-days of bed rest, compared to no stimulation. Additionally, the study will assess the effects of plant-dominant versus dairy-based enteral protein intake during the 4-day bed rest on the following secondary outcomes:Muscle fiber CSA and mitochondrial contentMitochondrial respirationExpression and phosphorylation of proteins involved in the mTOR anabolic signaling and muscle protein breakdown pathwaysExpression of myogenic regulatory factorsGene expression of atrophy-related genes

—

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Public ContactM. Hendriks

Universiteit Maastricht

michelle.hendriks@maastrichtuniversity.nl+31 43 388 1184

Outcome results

None listed

Source: NL-OMON (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026