Cycling time trial performance may be impaired by whey protein and L-alanine intake during prolonged exercise

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014 Oct;24(5):507-15. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0173. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Abstract

Previous studies reported that adding protein (PRO) to carbohydrate (CHO) solutions enhances endurance performance. The ergogenic effect may be a function of additional protein/amino acid calories, but this has not been examined. In addition, although supplemental L-alanine (ALA) is readily oxidized during exercise, the subsequent impact on metabolism and prolonged endurance performance is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to independently gauge the impact of whey PRO hydrolysate and ALA supplementation on performance and various physiological parameters. Eight cyclists (age: 22.3 ± 5.6 yr, weight: 70.0 ± 8.0 kg, VO2max: 59.4 ± 4.9 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) performed 120 min of constant-load cycling (55% of peak power) followed by a 30-km time trial (TT) under placebo (PLA), PRO, and ALA conditions. Magnitude-based qualitative inferences were applied to evaluate treatment differences and data are presented as percent difference between treatments ± 90% confidence limit. Both ALA (2.1 ± 2.7%) and PRO intake (-2.1 ± 2.2%) possibly harmed performance compared with PLA. Of interest, heart rate was possibly lower with ALA than PLA at 20- (-2.7 ± 3.4%) and 120-min (-1.7 ± 2.9%) of constant-load cycling and the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) response to 120 min of cycling was likely attenuated with PRO compared with PLA (PLA, 6.6 ± 3.7 fold vs. PRO, 2.9 ± 1.8 fold). In addition, blood glucose levels were lower with PRO than PLA at 20- (-8.8 ± 2.3%; very likely) and 120-min (-4.9 ± 4.6%; likely) of constant-load cycling. Although ALA intake appears to lower HR and PRO ingestion dampens the IL-6 response to exercise, the ingestion of PRO (without CHO) or ALA does not enhance, and may actually impair, performance following prolonged cycling.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alanine / pharmacology*
  • Bicycling
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Energy Intake
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Milk Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Physical Endurance / drug effects*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Physical Exertion / drug effects*
  • Physical Exertion / physiology
  • Whey Proteins
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Interleukin-6
  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins
  • Lactic Acid
  • Alanine