Pea Protein Supplementation and Muscle Damage

Study participants will be randomized to the NUTRALYS pea protein supplement, whey protein, or apple juice (parallel group design). Study participants will come to the lab at 7:00 am Monday through Friday in an overnight fasted state and provide a blood sample (maximum of 30 ml or two tablespoons). The blood samples will be analyzed for various measures of muscle damage and inflammation, and extra samples will be stored for additional measurements depending on funding. After the blood draw, participants will provide a muscle soreness rating. Next, the two protein sources (pea and whey protein), will be consumed at a weight adjusted amount (0.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight), and administered under double blind procedures. The amount of apple juice will be adjusted to body weight (1.2 calories per kilogram body weight). Four muscle function tests will be conducted: vertical jump, bench press, leg-back strength, and anaerobic power through the 30-second Wingate test. These performance tests will be administered before and after the 90-minute eccentric muscle exercise bout, and each of the following four mornings of recovery. After taking the four performance tests, participants will engage in 90-minutes of eccentric exercise. Immediately following exercise, participants will provide a muscle soreness rating and a blood sample, ingest another protein dose (0.3 g/kg) (or apple juice), and then take the four muscle function tests. Participants will return at 7 am in an overnight fasted state four days in a row after the eccentric exercise bout, and provide muscle soreness ratings and blood samples followed by ingestion of the protein supplements or apple juice. Following ingestion of the supplements, participants will take the four muscle function tests.