Just happened across this relatively new study (emphasis added):
Failure of protein to improve time trial performance when added to a sports drink. van Essen M, Gibala MJ.
Exercise Metabolism Research Group, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have reported that adding approximately 2% protein to a carbohydrate sports drink increased cycle endurance capacity compared with carbohydrate alone. However, the practical implications of these studies work are hampered by the following limitations: (a) the rate of carbohydrate ingestion was less than what is considered optimal for endurance performance, and (b) the performance test (exercise time to fatigue) did not mimic the way in which athletes typically compete (i.e., a race in which a fixed distance or set amount of work is performed as quickly as possible). PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that adding 2% protein to a 6% carbohydrate drink (CHO-PRO) would improve 80-km cycling time trial performance, as compared with a 6% carbohydrate drink (CHO) and a nonenergetic sweetened placebo (PLAC). METHODS: Ten trained male cyclists (24 +/- 2 yr; VO2peak = 63 +/- 2 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); mean +/- SE) performed an 80-km laboratory time trial (TT) on three occasions separated by 7 d. In a double-blind crossover manner, subjects ingested CHO-PRO, CHO, or PLAC at a rate of 250 mL every 15 min with no temporal, verbal, or physiological feedback. RESULTS: Time to complete the TT was 4.4% lower (P < 0.002) during CHO (135 +/- 9 min) and CHO-PRO (135 +/- 9) compared with PLAC (141 +/- 10), with no difference between CHO and CHO-PRO (P = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Ingesting 6% carbohydrate at a rate of 1 L.h(-1) (60 g.h(-1)) improved an 80-km TT performance in trained male cyclists. However, adding 2% protein to a 6% carbohydrate drink provided no additional performance benefit during a task that closely simulated the manner in which athletes typically compete.
I dont’ think that had ever been disputed…the protein mixes (accelerade, etc…) have been marketed towards helping aid recovery, not helping performance.
Interesting, but not necessarily 100% applicable to LC racing.
80k bike TT = 49.6m, so that’d be anywhere from say ~1:40-2:30 depending on athlete fitness. So, saying that PRO added to CHO doesn’t improve performance relative to Oly or Sprint triathlon, yeah, I’d buy that.
Results of a test done over a longer interval might prove to be different. I’d be willing to bet $1 they would be. Not that my thoughts or opinions carry any credibility whatsoever.
If nothing else, one benefit (dunno if you’d call it performance related) of ingesting some PRO during LC events is, you feel more satiated than w/ CHO alone. Which when utilizing a liquid diet is a good thing. YMMV. Thanks for the info!!!
I dont’ think that had ever been disputed…the protein mixes (accelerade, etc…) have been marketed towards helping aid recovery, not helping performance.
From their Web site:
“ACCELERADE is the first sports drink that provides rapid hydration plus the added benefits of all natural protein to re-energize muscles during exercise and help muscles recover faster after exercise. A major independent study shows that protein-powered Accelerade, compared to the leading sports drink, increased endurance 29% and decreased muscle damage 83%.”
Interesting, but not necessarily 100% applicable to LC racing.
80k bike TT = 49.6m, so that’d be anywhere from say ~1:40-2:30 depending on athlete fitness. So, saying that PRO added to CHO doesn’t improve performance relative to Oly or Sprint triathlon, yeah, I’d buy that.
The study showed 2:15 for the 80km TT. Who do you know that can do 80km in 1:40? That’s nearly 30mph, and at the level of the very best (and very few) UK long distance TTers.
I never said I knew anybody who can TT that fast, but I didn’t wanna say 2-2.5 hrs and then get somebody’s panties (generically, not yours in a twist saying “yeah, but so-and-so can TT that far in 1:4x”. So, I used a broad time band as a CYA.
I’m sure those dudes do LOADS of squats to get that fast.
my bad on saying they did not advertise that. I couldn’t imagine they’d do that because i was understanding that that the process of muscle restoration happened after working out.
my bad on saying they did not advertise that. I couldn’t imagine they’d do that because i was understanding that that the process of muscle restoration happened after working out.
No problem. I’m thinking that this particular study was actually done to refute the Accelerade study/claim.
Isn’t the other marketing spin that adding a bit of protein keeps you from feeling hungry?
I haven’t tried extended efforts without a bit of protein in the mix, so I can’t dispute the fact. All I can say is that I can go a long time without feeling hungry with protein in there.
Man, there is so much point and counter point on everything. I started using Accelerade and liked it. It is the first time I drank a protein/carbo drink and felt I could run forever.
Like a lot of these type studies, they left out an important fact. Such as what kind of protien. Some whould work for endurance and some would not. So one would need to know the type.
Like a lot of these type studies, they left out an important fact. Such as what kind of protien. Some whould work for endurance and some would not. So one would need to know the type.
The type of protein was not in the abstract. I’m willing to bet cash dollars that the study itself includes this information, and that they knew what they were doing when they made the choice of protein (if indeed it makes a difference: why do you think it would?).