The effect of sex and protein supplementation on protein turnover and muscle function during a 36-h military field exercise in energy deficit

O’Leary, T. J., Coombs, C. V., Edwards, V., Blacker, S. D., Knight, R. L., Koivula, F. N., Smith, K., Atherton, P. J., Wilkinson, D. J., Cegielski, J., Bass, J. J., Greeves, J. P. and Wardle, S. L. (2025) The effect of sex and protein supplementation on protein turnover and muscle function during a 36-h military field exercise in energy deficit. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. pp. 1-46. ISSN 0195-9131 (In Press)

[thumbnail of O'Leary_manuscript_accepted 2025 The effect of sex and protein supplementation on protein turnover and muscle function during a 36-h military field ex.pdf] Text
O'Leary_manuscript_accepted 2025 The effect of sex and protein supplementation on protein turnover and muscle function during a 36-h military field ex.pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0.

Download (1MB)

Abstract

This study investigated sex differences in, and the effect of protein supplementation on, whole-body protein turnover during a military field exercise. Forty-four British Army trainees (14 women) completed a 36-h field exercise. Participants consumed their habitual diet (n = 14 women [Women], protein intake 1.7 g·kg-1·d-1; n = 15 men [Men Controls], protein intake 1.6 g·kg-1·d-1) or the habitual diet and an additional 46.6 g·d-1 protein (n = 15 men [Men Protein], protein intake 2.1 g·kg-1·d-1). Total 24 h whole-body protein turnover was measured using the [15N]-glycine end-product method and muscle protein breakdown was estimated from urinary 3MH:creatinine 24 h before, during, and 96 h after field exercise. Women and Men Protein were compared with Men Controls to examine the effect of sex and protein supplementation. Whole-body protein turnover, synthesis, breakdown, and balance, and 3MH:creatinine did not differ between time-points (p ≥ 0.056). Whole-body protein balance was higher and 3MH:creatinine was lower in Women than Men Controls (all time-points, p ≤ 0.032) with no difference between sexes for other measures of protein turnover (p ≥ 0.072). Men Protein and Men Controls were not different for any outcome (p ≥ 0.060) but adjusted mean differences [95% confidence intervals] showed protein balance was 1.12 [0.28, 1.97] g·kg-1·d-1 higher in Men Protein than Men Controls during the field exercise. Women have higher whole-body protein balance than men in arduous training, likely due to higher energy balance. Protein supplementation may be effective for protecting whole-body protein balance in men.

Publication Type: Articles
Additional Information: Copyright © 2025 by the American College of Sports Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords: protein supplementation, protein metabolism, energy deficit, muscle, military
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV201 Physical education and training
Q Science > QP Physiology
U Military Science > U Military Science (General)
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Sport > Area > Exercise Physiology
Research Entities > Centre for Health and Allied Sport and Exercise Science Research (CHASER)
Depositing User: Sam Blacker
Date Deposited: 09 Jun 2025 09:35
Last Modified: 09 Jun 2025 09:35
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8121

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item
▲ Top

Our address

I’m looking for