Protein Supplementation and Muscle Recovery in Football (PRO-FOOTBALL)

University of Thessaly

Status: Completed

Conditions: Muscle Inflammation; Soccer Performance; Muscle Recovery; Skeletal Muscle Damage

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Milk protein isolate; Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03348267

PROTEIN-FOOTBALL RECOVERY-UTH

Details and patient eligibility

About

Soccer is an intermittent sport including a high number of powerful actions such as accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, jumps and impacts that incorporate a strong eccentric component and may therefore lead to skeletal muscle damage. Indeed, match activity is associated with the onset of muscle damage and an acute inflammatory response that result in attenuated performance for as long as 1 to 3 days. In competitive soccer though, multiple matches are performed within a small-time frame resulting in inadequate muscle recovery and reduced field performance. Supplementation with milk proteins following intense exercise protocols has been shown to stimulate protein synthesis and facilitate muscle recovery. Thus, the aim of the present investigation is to examine the effects of milk protein supplementation on muscle recovery and soccer-specific performance during an in-season microcycle with two matches performed three days apart.

Full description

In a double-blind, cross over, repeated measures design 20 men soccer players will receive either placebo (PLA) or milk protein isolate (PRO, 80% casein-20% whey) throughout recovery following two matches performed three days apart. On match days, players will receive a dose immediately after the match (PLA vs PRO: 25g of protein) and then at 3h (PLA vs PRO: 30g of protein) and 6h (PLA vs PRO: 25g of protein) post-match. On each day of the remaining days, players will consume a single dose of PLA or PRO (20g of protein) with breakfast. All players will participate in regular in-season training following matches. Field activity during both matches and daily practices will be monitored using GPS devices. Heart rate will be continuously recorded during each match and training session. Blood samples will be collected at baseline as well as 2 hours after the first match, daily for three days after the first match, 2 hours after the second match and daily for 3 days after the second match. Performance (isokinetic strength, 20-m speed, repeated sprint ability) and muscle soreness will be assessed at baseline daily for 3 days after both matches. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis will be collected at baseline and one day after each match.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• i) participation at elite level (top three division leagues) of soccer competition for at least five years, ii) abstain from consumption of performance-enhancing supplements, antioxidant supplements and medications (for at least 6 months before and during the study), iv) participate in at least six two-hour training sessions per week and played at least one match per week and v) non-smokers.

Exclusion criteria

• i) a known milk intolerance or allergy, ii) a recent febrile illness, iii) history of muscle lesion, iv) lower limb trauma and v) metabolic diseases.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Protein

Experimental group

Description:

On the match day, 25g of protein consumed immediately after the match and then 30g at 3h (+3h) and 25g at 6h (+6h). On each day of the remaining days, 20 g of protein consumed with breakfast.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Milk protein isolate

Placebo

Active Comparator group

Description:

On the match day, 500 ml received received orally immediately post-match and then at +3h and +6h. On the remaining days, 500 ml daily with breakfast.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo