Effect of Protein Quality During Overreaching in Trained Cyclists

NCT ID: NCT03994198

Last Updated: 2019-06-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 11 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-11-01
• Study Completion Date: 2018-08-30

Brief Summary

Athletes frequently undertake periods of intensified training commonly referred to as "overreaching." These training periods acutely decrease performance, with the expectation that performance will rebound and improve after a short recovery. Yet, overreaching does not always improve performance and may be a precursor to overtraining syndrome, a long-term decrement in performance. A nutritional intervention focused on the adoption of 'best practices' for protein feeding (optimal timing, dose, and quality) could help reduce the stress of overreaching, reduce the likelihood of developing overtraining syndrome, and augment adaptations to intensified exercise. While the nutrition study is our main interest, the investigators first want to validate the measurement of exercise performance. Accordingly, this project consists of two related studies: (1) the assessment of short time trials for reliability and validity; and (2) the assessment of optimal protein feeding to decrease the stress of overreaching and improve outcomes following training.

Detailed Description

Endurance-trained athletes frequently undergo periods of overreaching (increased training loads) to improve performance. In study 1, the investigators will determine whether 4-min and 20-min time trials are repeatable and whether they (individually or collectively) relate to 1-hour time trial performance. For Study 2, the investigators propose that proper nutrition (with a focus on the dose, timing, and quality of protein) can help mitigate the stress of overreaching, which will improve performance. Thus, the investigators will compare the effects of two diets that differ in terms of protein servings (dose, timing, quality). In Study 2, skeletal muscle biopsies will be collected to determine how dietary protein intervention impacts the quality and quantity of skeletal muscle mitochondria in response to intense training.

For study 1, the objective is to determine the reliability and validity of 4-min and 20-min time trial performance (mean power output).

For study 2, the objective is to (1) determine whether following an optimal protein diet during a period of intense training will, relative to a typical diet: (1) improve measures of exercise performance, (2) improve sleep quality, psychological wellbeing, and immune function, (3) improve the quality and quantity of skeletal muscle mitochondria.

Study 1 is a reliability and validity experiment designed to assess the key outcome measure in study 2.

Study 2 is a randomized, crossover study. Participants will, in a randomized order, complete both conditions, separated by a 4-day washout period.

Conditions

Muscle Protein Synthesis

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Alpha-lactalbumin

Participants will consume 60 g of alphalactalbumin (fraction of whey protein) for 3 training days.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Alpha-lactalbumin

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

A protein fraction of whey protein, higher in tryptophan

Collagen peptides

Participants will consume 60 g of collagen peptides for 3 training days.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Collagen peptides

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Collagen peptides from bovine sources

Interventions

Alpha-lactalbumin

A protein fraction of whey protein, higher in tryptophan

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Collagen peptides

Collagen peptides from bovine sources

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• non-smokers
• non-diabetic
• Participants had to be training regularly (performing aerobic exercise at least 4 times per week, including regular cycling exercise)
• Generally healthy

Exclusion Criteria

• consuming excessive alcohol (>21 units per week)
• use of an investigational drug or nutraceutical in the previous 30 days
• dairy allergy
• history of significant loss or gain of body mass in the past 6 months (>2kg)
• regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• infectious disease, and/or the presence of any relevant disease (e.g., gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, etc.).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

McMaster University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Stuart Phillips

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Stuart Phillips, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

McMaster University

Locations

Ivor Wynne Centre

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

Other Identifiers

HIREB 3036

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id