Whey protein isolate attenuates strength decline after eccentrically-induced muscle damage in healthy individuals

Keywords:	MUSCLE DAMAGE, MUSCLE STRENGTH - Whey Protein
Reference:	"Whey protein isolate attenuates strength decline after eccentrically-induced muscle damage in healthy individuals," Cooke MB, Hayes A, et al, J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2010; 7(1): 30. (Address: Exercise Metabolism Unit, Institute for Sport, Exercise and Active Living, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. E-mail: alan.hayes@vu.edu.au ).
Summary:	In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 17 untrained men (mean age = 23 years), results indicate that supplementation with whey protein may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage. The subjects were randomized to supplementation with whey protein isolate (1.5 g/kg.bw/day supplement (approximately 30 g consumed immediately, and then once with breakfast, lunch, in the afternoon and after the evening meal) or carbohydrate for a period of 14 days, following a unilateral eccentric contraction-based resistance exercise session. Significantly higher isometric knee extension strength, stronger tendencies for higher isokinetic forces (extension and flexion), and lower plasma LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) were observed in the whey protein group, compared with the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "The major finding of this investigation was that whey protein isolate supplementation attenuated the impairment in isometric and isokinetic muscle forces during recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury." Full Article