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Milk protein ingestion does not enhance recovery from muscle-damaging resistance exercise in untrained males and females: a randomized controlled trial.

  • 2023-06-01
  • Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme 48(6)
    • Alice G Pearson
    • Lindsay S Macnaughton
    • Karen Hind

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
Untrained males and females
Methods
Parallel-group randomized controlled trial, single bout of leg-based resistance exercise, milk protein or isoenergetic control supplement over 4 days post-exercise (17 doses total)
Duration
4 days
Funding
Unclear
Milk-based proteins are a common choice of post-exercise nutrition to enhance exercise recovery and adaptation. Peri-exercise milk protein ingestion may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), which is a particular risk to untrained individuals. However, most research has been conducted with males, and due to potential sex differences in EIMD, research with both sexes is required. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial examined the impact of milk protein ingestion on recovery from EIMD. Untrained males and females performed a single bout of leg-based resistance exercise and consumed a milk protein (MILK-PRO: n = 4 males, n = 8 females) or isoenergetic control (CON: n = 4 males, n = 8 females) supplement over 4 days post-exercise (17 doses total). Maximum strength was assessed ≥3 wk pre- and 72 and 168 h post-exercise, and measures of leg circumference, range of motion, muscle soreness, pressure-pain threshold (PPT), and serum creatine kinase concentration ([CK]) were conducted pre-, immediately post-, and 24, 48, 72, and 168 h post-exercise. Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON. Peak increases in [CK] and reductions in PPT were greater in males compared with females. Changes in other markers were comparable between sexes. We conclude that moderate resistance exercise in naïve individuals induces muscle damage without compromising muscle strength. We support sex differences in EIMD and emphasize the need for further research with both sexes. Milk protein ingestion was not beneficial for recovery from EIMD, thus alternative management strategies should be investigated. This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov PRS (protocol ID: 290580A).

Research Insights

  • Milk Protein→Increased Maximum Strength

    Maximum strength was assessed ≥3 wk pre- and 72 and 168 h post-exercise... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
  • Milk Protein→Increased Pressure-Pain Threshold

    measures of... pressure-pain threshold (PPT)... were conducted... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON. Peak increases in [CK] and reductions in PPT were greater in males compared with females.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
  • Milk Protein→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level

    measures of... serum creatine kinase concentration ([CK]) were conducted... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON. Peak increases in [CK] and reductions in PPT were greater in males compared with females.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
  • Milk Protein→Reduced Leg Circumference

    measures of leg circumference... were conducted... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
  • Milk Protein→Reduced Muscle Soreness

    measures of... muscle soreness... were conducted... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
  • Milk Protein→Reduced Range of Motion

    measures of... range of motion... were conducted... Resistance exercise induced mild muscle damage that was not attenuated with MILK-PRO relative to CON.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    17 doses over 4 days post-exercise
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