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The impact of dietary protein supplementation on recovery from resistance exercise-induced muscle damage: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

  • 2022-12-13
  • European journal of clinical nutrition 77(8)
    • Alice G Pearson
    • Karen Hind
    • Lindsay S Macnaughton

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
A literature search was conducted on PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science up to March 2021 for relevant articles. PEDro criteria were used to assess bias within included studies. A Hedges' g effect size was calculated for indirect markers of EIMD post-exercise.
  • Rigorous Journal

Background

It is unknown whether dietary protein consumption can attenuate resistance exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Managing EIMD may accelerate muscle recovery and allow frequent, high-quality exercise to promote muscle adaptations. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of peri-exercise protein supplementation on resistance EIMD.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science up to March 2021 for relevant articles. PEDro criteria were used to assess bias within included studies. A Hedges' g effect size (ES) was calculated for indirect markers of EIMD at  h post-exercise. Weighted ESs were included in a random effects model to determine overall ESs over time.

Results

Twenty-nine studies were included in the systematic review and 40 trials were included in ≥1 meta-analyses (16 total). There were significant overall effects of protein for preserving isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 96 h (0.563 [0.232, 0.894]) and isokinetic MVC at 24 h (0.639 [0.116, 1.162]), 48 h (0.447 [0.104, 0.790]), and 72 h (0.569 [0.136, 1.002]). Overall ESs were large in favour of protein for attenuating creatine kinase concentration at 48 h (0.836 [-0.001, 1.673]) and 72 h (1.335 [0.294, 2.376]). Protein supplementation had no effect on muscle soreness compared with the control.

Conclusion

Peri-exercise protein consumption could help maintain maximal strength and lower creatine kinase concentration following resistance exercise but not reduce muscle soreness. Conflicting data may be due to methodological divergencies between studies. Standardised methods and data reporting for EIMD research are needed.

Research Insights

  • Protein→Preserved Isokinetic Maximal Voluntary Contraction

    and isokinetic MVC at 24 h (0.639 [0.116, 1.162]), 48 h (0.447 [0.104, 0.790]), and 72 h (0.569 [0.136, 1.002])

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Protein→Preserved Maximal Voluntary Contraction

    There were significant overall effects of protein for preserving isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 96 h (0.563 [0.232, 0.894])

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Protein→Reduced Creatine Kinase Concentration

    Overall ESs were large in favour of protein for attenuating creatine kinase concentration at 48 h (0.836 [-0.001, 1.673]) and 72 h (1.335 [0.294, 2.376])

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    not specified
  • Protein→Reduced Muscle Soreness

    Protein supplementation had no effect on muscle soreness compared with the control.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
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