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, 57 (10). pp. 2245-2257. ISSN 0195-9131
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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: | 30 Oct 2026 01:10 |
| URI: | https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8121 |
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