Whey and Soy Protein Supplementation in Football Players

Comparison of the Effect of Whey and Soy Protein Supplementation on Muscle Damage Markers and Performance After a Speed Endurance Training Protocol in Football Players

In a constant effort to find ways to make a quicker recovery between demanding workouts and football matches, this study is the first to investigate the benefits of protein supplementation, and compares two types of proteins, an animal-derived (whey) and a plant-derived (soy) protein, after an exercise-induced muscle injury caused by a speed endurance training protocol. Soy protein could be a cheaper and more environment-friendly alternative for athletes involved in high-velocity strength training.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Muscle Damage; Skeletal Muscle Damage
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Whey protein; Dietary supplement: Soy protein; Dietary supplement: Placebo (maltodextrin)

Detailed Description

A randomized, three-trial (placebo vs. whey protein isolate vs. soy protein isolate consumption), cross-over, double-blind design.

1. Baseline performance testing: Initially, volunteers will participate in a performance testing procedure at University facilities. These measurements include:

   A) measurement of descriptor variables: a) body composition (DXA), b) VO2max, c) Yo-Yo intermittent endurance level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2), d) Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2), e) technical skill level, f) daily dietary intake profile (over a 7-day period), g) gabitual physical activity level (over a 7-day period) and h) resting mtabolic rate (RMR).

   B) Measurement of dependent variables: a) isokinetic strength (concentric, eccentric) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of knee extensors and flexors of both lower limbs, b) counter movement jump height (CMJ), c) repeated sprint ability (RSA), d) speed (10 and 30 m), e) delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), f) blood sampling for measurement of lactate concentration, creatine kinase activity (CK) and inflammatory markers [i.e.Glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and protein carbonyls (PC)].

2. A 1-week adaptive period: based on a dietary analysis, participants will be given a dietary plan [taking into account the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and total daily physical activity related energy expenditure], providing a standard protein intake of 0.8-1 g protein/kg/day over the 1-week adaptive period. This protein intake is accepted as the average and population-safe protein intake during periods of very low physical activity and/or exercise levels. RMR, daily dietary intake and physical activity will be measured before the adaptive period. Familiarization with the training protocol will take place during this phase.

3. Participants will randomly participate in three trials including: whey protein (WP), soy protein (SP) and placebo (PL) supplementation:

   • A 7-day pre-loading phase: A 7-day pre-loading phase will be applied prior to each trial, during which volunteers will receive the respective supplement (placebo, whey protein or soy protein). In WP and SP trials, participants will consume daily the appropriate amount of protein to reach a total protein intake of 1.5 g protein/kg body weight (BW).
   • On the 7th day (end of pre-loading phase), participants will repeat performance testing (assessment of all dependent variables according to baseline testing) and blood sampling.
   • On the 8th day, participants will perform the speed-endurance production training (SEPT) session 1 (1st trial). During training, participants internal (heart rate) and external load (total distance, speed zones, acceleration and decelerations, impacts) will be continuously monitored using heart rate monitors and global positioning system (GPS) instrumentation.
   • Immediately after the training protocol: Determination of blood lactate concentration (3-4 minutes post-training) and assessment of MVIC (1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours post-training).
   • 1-Day post-training (9th day; 24 hours post-training): Blood sampling (for the determination of CK, GSH, TAC and PC) and measurement of dependent variables (i.e. isokinetic strength, MVIC, Speed, RSA, CMJ and DOMS).
   • 2-Days post-training (10th day; 48 hours post-training): Blood sampling (for the determination of CK, GSH, TAC and PC) and assessment of DOMS. Thereafter, the SEPT session 2 will take place during which the particpants' internal and external load will be continuously monitored (as described in SEPT session 1).
4. Wash-out period: 2-week without any activity or supplementation.
5. 2nd trial: repeat of stages 3 and 4.
6. 3rd trial: repeat of stage 3.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Greece
  • Tríkala, Greece, 42100
    • Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 25 years (ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Playing at a competitive level (top three divisions) for ≥3 years
• Free of any recent history of illnesses, musculoskeletal problems and metabolic diseases
• No use of supplements and medications (for ≤6 months prior to the study)
• Non-smokers

Exclusion Criteria:

• A known milk intolerance or allergy
• A recent febrile illness
• History of muscle lesion
• Lower limb trauma
• Metabolic diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: CROSSOVER
• Masking: DOUBLE

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Whey protein; Whey protein isolate supplementation (7 day pre-loading phase and 3 day training phase). The protein dose will be individually adjusted to reach a total protein intake of 1.5 g protein/kg body mass/day.	Dietary supplement: Whey protein; Whey protein isolate supplementation, individually adjusted to reach a total protein intake of 1.5 g/kg body weight/day for 10 days (7 days pre-loading and 3 days during trials 1 and 2)
EXPERIMENTAL: Soy protein; Soy protein isolate supplementation (7 day pre-loading phase and 3 day training phase). The protein dose will be individually adjusted to reach a total protein intake of 1.5 g protein/kg body mass/day.	Dietary supplement: Soy protein; Soy protein isolate supplementation, individually adjusted to reach a total protein intake of 1.5 g/kg body weight/day for 10 days (7 days pre-loading and 3 days during trials 1 and 2)
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: Placebo (maltodextrin); Isoenergetic, maltodextrin (7 day pre-loading phase and 3 day training phase)	Dietary supplement: Placebo (maltodextrin); Isoenergetic placebo (maltodextrin) for 10 days (7 days pre-loading and 3 days during trials 1 and 2

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in field activity during the speed-endurance production training (SEPT)	Field activity will be continuously recorded during both SEPT sessions using global positioning system (GPS) technology	Throughout the SEPT sessions in all trials
Change in heart rate during the speed-endurance production training (SEPT)	Heart rate will be continuously recorded during both SEPT sessions using heart rate monitors.	Throughout the SEPT sessions in all trials
Change in creatine kinase in plasma	Concentration of creatine kinase will be measured in plasma	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in repeated sprint ability (RSA)	5 x 30 m sprints will be performed with 25 seconds rest in-between	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) following SEPT session 1
Change in countermovement jump (jump height in centimeters)	Countermovement jump will be assessed on a contact platform	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) following SEPT session 1
Change in isokinetic strength of lower limbs	Isokinetic strength will be assessed on an isokinetic dynamometer for both knee extensors and knee flexors at 60 degrees.	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) following SEPT session 1
Change in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of lower limbs	MVIC will be assessed on an isokinetic dynamometer for knee extensors at 90 degrees and knee flexors at 30 degrees	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 1, 2 and 3 hours post-SEPT session 1; 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in delayed onset of muscle soreness	Muscle soreness will assessed during palpation of the muscle belly and the distal region of relaxed vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris following three repetitions of of a full squat. Subjects will rate their DOMS on a visual analogue scale (0-10). A score of O indicates no sign or symptom of DOMS, a score of 10 indicated severe signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). These signs and symptoms include dull, diffuse pain and tenderness; stiffness; swelling; and decreased strength of the exercised muscle.	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in total antioxidant capacity in plasma	Total antioxidant capacity will be measured in plasma	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in protein carbonyl levels in plasma	Protein carbonyl levels will be measured in plasma	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in GSH levels in red blood cell lysate	GSH will be measured in red blood cell lysate	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) and 48 hours (Day 10) following SEPT session 1.
Change in sprint time	Sprint time will be assessed over a 10m and 30m distance using light cells.	Baseline; Post-loading (Day 7); 24 hours (Day 9) following SEPT session 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dietary intake	Dietary intake will be assessed using 7-day diet recalls.	Over a 7-day period at baseline.
Concentration of blood lactate	Blood lactate will be measured using an automatic analyzer	Pre- and Post-SEPT session 1 (Day 8), Pre- and Post-SEPT session 2 (Day 10)
Change in habitual physical activity	Physical activity will be measured using 3-axial accelerometers	Over a 7-day period at baseline
Change in resting metabolic rate (RMR)	RMR will be measured using open-circuit indirect calorimeter with a ventilated hood system, after an overnight fast.	At baseline.
Change in body composition	Body composition will be assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).	At baseline.
Change in maximal oxygen uptake	Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) will be measured during a graded exercise testing on a treadmill, by using open-circuit spirometry with an automated online pulmonary gas exchange system, via breath-by-breath analysis.	At baseline.
Change in soccer-specific conditioning.	Soccer-specific conditioning will be assessed using the the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance level 2 test (Yo-Yo IE2) and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 2 test (Yo-Yo IR2).	At baseline.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Thessaly
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Savvas Kritikos, MScc, UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS SCIENCES

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kritikos S, Papanikolaou K, Draganidis D, Poulios A, Georgakouli K, Tsimeas P, Tzatzakis T, Batsilas D, Batrakoulis A, Deli CK, Chatzinikolaou A, Mohr M, Jamurtas AZ, Fatouros IG. Effect of whey vs. soy protein supplementation on recovery kinetics following speed endurance training in competitive male soccer players: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021 Mar 16;18(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12970-021-00420-w.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): November 8, 2018
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): January 20, 2019
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): February 20, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 12, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 23, 2018
• First Posted (ACTUAL): November 26, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): November 24, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 23, 2020
• Last Verified: November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: WHEY vs SOY PROTEIN - UTH

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No