Research Impact: Supplementing post-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) intake with protein has been suggested to enhance recovery from endurance exercise. The aim of this study (in a double-blind crossover design) was to investigate whether adding protein to a recovery drink can improve 24-hr recovery when CHO intake is suboptimal. Despite a higher acute insulin response, adding protein to a CHO based recovery drink after a prolonged, high-intensity exercise bout did not change next-day exercise capacity when overall 24-hr macronutrient and caloric intake was controlled. Accordingly, immediate protein supplementation after non-exhaustive training is not beneficial for restoration of next-day endurance capacity.
Kontro, H.,Kozior, M., Whelehan, G., Amigo-Benavent, M., Norton, C., Carson, B.P., & Jakeman, P. (2021). Carbohydrate and Protein Co-Ingestion Postexercise Does Not Improve Next-Day Performance in Trained Cyclists. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0069.
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