Whey Protein Supplementation and Serum Mineral Status in Elite Endurance and Power Athletes

March 20, 2026 updated by: Monira Aldhahi

Whey Protein Supplementation and Serum Mineral Status in Elite Endurance and Power Athletes: A Two-Month Non-Randomized Open-Label Intervention Study

This study investigates whether 8 weeks of post-training whey protein supplementation (30 g/day) affects serum mineral concentrations (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron) in elite endurance and power athletes during structured training.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This is a 10-week non-randomized, open-label intervention study involving elite male track-and-field athletes aged 18-26 years. Participants are allocated into a whey protein supplementation group or a control group based on convenience allocation. The intervention consists of daily intake of 30 g whey protein following training sessions over 8 weeks. Blood samples are collected at baseline and post-intervention to assess serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron levels. The study aims to differentiate supplementation effects from training-induced physiological changes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

59

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Tunisia
      • Tunis, Tunisia
        • Training Centers

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male elite track-and-field athletes
  • Age 18-30 years
  • Engaged in structured training program
  • No supplement use in past 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Use of nutritional or mineral supplements
  • Metabolic or musculoskeletal disorders
  • Acute injury affecting performance
  • Use of ergogenic aids (e.g., creatine, anabolic agents)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Whey Protein Group (WG)
Receives 30 g/day whey protein post-training for 8 weeks
Dietary supplement: Whey Protein Supplementation
Participants in the intervention group consumed 30 g/day of whey protein powder within 30 minutes after training sessions for 8 weeks as part of a structured training program. The supplement (IronMaxx®, 100% Whey Protein) primarily consisted of whey protein concentrate and provided approximately 24 g of protein per daily dose. The intervention was administered in an open-label manner without placebo control. Participants were instructed to maintain their habitual diet and refrain from using additional nutritional supplements during the study period.
Other Names:
  • Whey protein powder
  • IronMaxx 100% Whey Protein
Other: Control Group (CG)
Continues usual training without supplementation
Other: No Supplement (Control)
Participants continued their usual sport-specific training program for 8 weeks without receiving whey protein or any additional nutritional supplementation. They were instructed to maintain their habitual diet and avoid initiating any new supplements during the study period.
Other Names:
  • Usual training only

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
serum mineral concentrations (Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron)
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Post-Intervention (Week 10)
Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron will be measured using standardized enzymatic and colorimetric assays from venous blood samples collected at rest. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the intervention to assess changes associated with training and whey protein supplementation in elite athletes.
Baseline (Week 1) and Post-Intervention (Week 10)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Monira Aldhahi

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 25, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 26, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

March 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 20, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • PNU-12

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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