Athlete Whey Protein Sensitivity: Prevalence and Performance

University of the Incarnate Word

Status: Completed

Conditions: Food Intolerance

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Hemp Protein; Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Concentrate

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05482997

2022-1154-EXP

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of whey protein sensitivity in UIW athletes and to assess the effectiveness of 4-weeks of whey versus plant-based protein supplementation on athletic performance and recovery, specifically in those with whey sensitivity.

Full description

Dependent t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) will offer comparative analyses between whey and plant protein conditions in subjects with and without whey sensitivity. Symptom questionnaires, perceived performance questionnaires, wearable fitness tracking data, and strength test results will be compared across all four conditions (baseline, washout, whey supplementation, and plant supplementation).

Related variables will be analyzed using GLM univariate, multivariate, and repeated measures. The overall multivariate Wilks' Lambda and Greenhouse-Geisser univariate p-levels will be reported. Differences among groups will be determined using Tukey's least significant differences (LSD) post hoc analyses.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• NCAA Division I collegiate athletes at the University of the Incarnate Word
• Must complete a medical history form
• Must be cleared by sports medicine staff for intercollegiate athletic participation

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with a diagnosed food allergy, lactose intolerance, or inflammatory bowel disease (such as Chron's, Ulcerative Colitis, or Celiac Sprue)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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36 participants in 3 patient groups

Control Group: Subjects with no protien intake

No Intervention group

Description:

20 subjects will receive no intervention for 10 weeks but complete performance tests and assessments during weeks 0, 4, 6, and 10.

Whey Protein, Then Plant-based Protein

Experimental group

Description:

Performance tests/assessments will be conducted as baseline testing without whey protein, followed by four weeks of whey protein intervention consisting of one 70cc (32g) scoop of supplement provided within an hour after athletic practice, five days a week. For athletes with more than one practice a day, the supplement will be provided after the strength training session. The powder will be shaken with 8-12oz water. Performance measured at the end of 4 weeks. After a two-week washout period, they will undergo another performance evaluation and begin the same protein supplement regimen, but with a 70cc (32g) scoop of the plant-based protein supplement.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Concentrate

Dietary Supplement: Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Hemp Protein

Plant-based Protein, Then Whey Protein

Experimental group

Description:

Performance tests/assessments will be conducted as baseline testing without plant-based protein, followed by four weeks of plant-based protein intervention consisting of one 70cc (32g) scoop of supplement provided within an hour after athletic practice, five days a week, for four weeks. For athletes with more than one practice a day, the supplement will be provided after the strength training session. The powder will be shaken with 8-12oz water. Performance measured at the end of 4 weeks. After a two-week washout period, they will undergo another performance evaluation and begin the same protein supplement regimen, but with a 70cc (32g) scoop of the whey protein supplement.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein Concentrate

Dietary Supplement: Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Hemp Protein