Effect of combined carbohydrate-protein ingestion on markers of recovery after simulated rugby union match-play

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of ingesting carbohydrate alone or carbohydrate with protein on functional and metabolic markers of recovery from a rugby union-specific shuttle running protocol. On three occasions, at least one week apart in a counterbalanced order, nine experienced male rugby union forwards ingested placebo, carbohydrate (1.2 g · kg body mass(-1) · h(-1)) or carbohydrate with protein (0.4 g · kg body mass(-1) · h(-1)) before, during, and after a rugby union-specific protocol. Markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase: before, 258 ± 171 U · L(-1) vs. 24 h after, 574 ± 285 U · L(-1); myoglobin: pre, 50 ± 18 vs. immediately after, 210 ± 84 nmol · L(-1); P < 0.05) and muscle soreness (1, 2, and 3 [maximum soreness = 8] for before, immediately after, and 24 h after exercise, respectively) increased. Leg strength and repeated 6-s cycle sprint mean power were slightly reduced after exercise (93% and 95% of pre-exercise values, respectively; P < 0.05), but were almost fully recovered after 24 h (97% and 99% of pre-exercise values, respectively). There were no differences between trials for any measure. These results indicate that in experienced rugby players, the small degree of muscle damage and reduction in function induced by the exercise protocol were not attenuated by the ingestion of carbohydrate and protein.

A randomised trial of pre-exercise meal composition on performance and muscle damage in well-trained basketball players

“…These findings are reflective of the previous research by Roberts et al [12], which is expected given the similarities in study protocol compared with the present study. The results for testosterone suggest that PRO/CHO does not affect the anabolic stimulus to exercise when ingested solely pre-exercise.…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the effect of PRO/CHO ingestion on performance, markers of muscle damage, hormonal interactions, and substrate metabolism, and have provided protein at multiple stages throughout study protocols [10,12,15]. …”

“…Furthermore, few previous studies have investigated PRO/CHO co-ingestion and the effect on performance in a valid team-sport setting [12]. The Basketball Exercise Simulation Test (BEST) [16], constructed using time-motion analysis of actual basketball games [17] provides the most valid form of standardised exercise protocol for basketball players.…”

Post-exercise ingestion of a carbohydrate and casein hydrolysate supplement reduces perceived muscle soreness but not fatigue in Sevens Rugby Players

“…Furthermore, Gilson and colleagues [6] found no effects on myoglobin concentration, muscle soreness, fatigue ratings and isometric quadriceps force between participants who ingested either a carbohydrate drink or isocaloric chocolate milk drink as a recovery beverage. The lack of treatment effect on fatigue observed in this present study and in previous research [7,8] may be, in part, due to investigations being conducted on elite-level athletes. Therefore, in the current study, the lack of difference in perception of muscle fatigue may be due to the high level of conditioning of the players.…”

“…[5,6] On the other hand, a number of studies have failed to show any potential beneficial effect on muscle soreness or muscle fatigue. [3,7,8] Despite these inconsistencies in findings related to DOMS and fatigue, when performance has been investigated, several studies have shown that post-exercise protein supplementation improves subsequent performance [9][10][11] although, as with DOMS and fatigue, some studies have shown no positive effect. [3,7] Importantly, the majority of studies have only assessed the effect of protein ingestion on recovery after an initial or second bout of exercise, or over a relatively short period of time.…”