Table 4.
Protein requirements of female athletes completing intermittent exercise.
| Author/Year (Study Design) | Female Athletes | Menstrual Cycle/Contraceptives | Exercise Protocol | Protein Dose, Type, Timing | Control/Comparison Intake | Outcome(s) from Protein Intake 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Protein Requirements | ||||||
| Wooding et al. 2017 [48] (cross-over) |
Six competitive rowing, ice hockey, volleyball athletes 68.8 ± 4.1 kg Body fat 21.8 ± 2.7% |
Luteal (days NR) | Modified Loughborough test (4 × 15 min variable intensity shuttle run) | Isocaloric meal with 0.2–2.66 g/kg/day crystalline amino acids based on egg protein provided in eight hourly doses post-exercise (% energy NR) |
N/A | EAR 1.41 g/kg/day RDI 2 1.75 g/kg/day |
| Acute Protein Requirements | ||||||
| Brown et al. 2018 [37] (cohort) |
20 competitive dancers (n = 10 intervention, n = 10 control) 61.8 ± 7.9 kg Body fat % NR |
Six luteal, 14 hormonal contraceptives (groups NR) |
15 × 30 m repeated sprints | 0.32 g/kg whey protein immediately and 2 h post-exercise (energy 91% protein, 8% CHO, 1% fat) (average daily protein intake of 1.8 g/kg/day. Daily energy: 21% protein, 63% CHO, 24% fat) |
0.32 g/kg carbohydrate immediately and 2 h post-exercise (energy 0% protein, 99.5% CHO, 0.5% fat) (daily protein intake 1.3 g/kg/day. Daily energy: 15% protein, 61% CHO, 25% fat) |
↓ decline in reactive strength index during 72 h post-exercise ↓ CK levels at 24 h post-exercise |
| Wilborn et al. 2016 [47] (single intervention) 3 | Nine resistance-trained athletes 65.1 ± 8.4 kg Body fat 25.5 ± 7.2% |
NR | Eight-week whole-body intermittent exercise program, four sessions/week |
0.38 g/kg whey protein post-exercise (energy 96% protein, 4% CHO, 0% fat) (average daily protein intake 1.1 g/kg/day) |
N/A | ↑ maximal strength and agility |
| Taylor et al. 2016 [44] (cohort) |
14 competitive basketballers (n = 8 intervention 66.0 ± 3.1 kg, body fat 25.4 ± 4.2%; n = 6 control 68.2 ± 7.6 kg, body fat 25.1 ± 4.7%) |
NR | Eight-week whole body anaerobic, agility and RT program, four sessions/week |
0.36 g/kg whey protein pre- and post-exercise (energy 96% protein, 0% CHO, 4% fat) (average daily protein intake 1.39 g/kg/day) | 0.35 g/kg maltodextrin pre- and post-exercise (energy 0% protein, 100% CHO, 0% fat) (daily protein intake of 1.08 g/kg/day) | ↑ maximal strength and agility scores vs. control |
| Wilborn et al. 2013 [46] (cohort) |
16 competitive basketballers (n = 8 intervention 66.0 ± 4.9 kg, body fat 27.0 ± 4.9%; n = 8 comparison 68.0 ± 2.9 kg, body fat 25.0 ± 5.7%) | NR | Eight-week whole body anaerobic, agility and RT program, four sessions/week |
0.36 g/kg whey protein pre- and post-exercise (energy 83% protein, 14% CHO, 3% fat) (daily protein intake NR) |
0.35 g/kg casein protein pre- and post-exercise (energy 86% protein, 11% CHO, 4% fat) (daily protein intake NR) | ↑ maximal strength, lean mass and anaerobic performance, and ↓ in fat mass in both groups |
CK, creatine kinase; EAR, estimated average requirement; CHO, carbohydrate; whole body, includes upper and lower body; N/A, not applicable; NR, not reported; RDI, recommended dietary intake; RT, resistance training. 1 Differences refer to statistical significance reported in the study. 2 RDI calculated as 12% coefficient of variation (1.24 × EAR) in accordance with Rand et al. [35]. 3 Comparison group data did not meet the inclusion criteria.