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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05998590

Pre-sleep Protein Supplementation in British Army Recruits

Dietary protein has been shown to be important to support physical training. For occupational demands such as military training, new recruits often fail to meet the recommended protein intake during basic training (BT), with negligible amounts consumed in the evening. As such, individuals undertaking BT may require higher intakes than the general population.This study assessed the influence of a daily bolus of protein prior to sleep on performance adaptations, body composition and recovery in British Army recruits.

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Key information

Conditions

Protein-energy; Imbalance Body Weight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Recovery Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Anglia Ruskin University

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PT, United Kingdom

About this study

Dietary protein is crucial for optimising physical training adaptations such as muscular strength and mass, which are key aims for athletic populations, including British Army recruits. New recruits fail to meet the recommended protein intake during basic training (BT), with negligible amounts consumed in the evening. This study aimed to assess the influence of a daily bolus of protein prior to sleep on performance adaptations, body composition and recovery in British Army recruits. The study will recruit a mixed cohort of >120 new recruits from the United Kingdom (UK) British Army who will be randomised into a dietary control (CON), carbohydrate placebo (PLA), moderate (20g) protein (MOD) or high (60g) protein (HIGH) supplementation group. Supplements will be isocaloric and consumed daily on weekday evenings between 2000 and 2100h for 10 weeks during BT, alongside standardised dietary intake and BT activities. Performance tests (mid-thigh pull, medicine ball throw, 2km run time, maximal push-up and maximal vertical jump) and body composition will be assessed at the start and end of BT under standardised conditions. Dietary intake, energy expenditure, salivary hormones, urinary nitrogen balance, perceived muscle soreness, rating of perceived exertion, mood and fatigue will be assessed at the start, middle and end of BT. The underlying aim of this study is to assess whether inclusion of nocturnal protein supplementation will influence performance adaptations, body composition changes or acute recovery in British Army recruits.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Enrolled into British Army basic training
  • Medically fit to start Army training

Exclusion criteria

  • Not taking any other nutritional supplement
  • Not currently pregnant
  • Not dairy or lactose intolerant or have any specific dietary requirements .

Treatment and study plan

High protein supplement

Dietary Supplement

The participants received a 60g protein bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.

Moderate protein supplement

Dietary Supplement

The participants received a 20g protein bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.

Carbohydrate Placebo

Dietary Supplement

The participants received an isocaloric carbohydrate bolus each evening prior to sleep from week 3 to week 12 of training.

Control: No supplementation

Other

The participants did not receive any supplementation but instead acted as a control group doing BT only

Primary outcomes

  1. Lower body strength performance

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Mid-thigh pull

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body composition

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Fat-free mass

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Anglia Ruskin University

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Exeter

Registry information

Official study title

Pre-sleep Protein Supplementation Does Not Improve Performance, Body Composition and Recovery in British Army Recruits

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Aug 21, 2023
Registry last updated
Aug 21, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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