Protein and Recovery From Exercise-induced Muscle Damage

Intense, eccentric resistance exercise produces high mechanical forces leading to muscle damage, soreness, inflammation, and a loss of muscle function (J Sci Med Sport 2010;13:178-181). Limited evidence suggests that protein-amino acid supplementation before, during, and following damaging resistance exercise reduces muscle damage and accelerates recovery in resistance trained subjects (J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2012;9:20; Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2010;20:236-44; Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2008;33:483-8).

Herbalife 24 Rebuild Strength is a protein-amino acid supplement recommended for use after resistance exercise to help rebuild muscle, speed recovery, support immune function, and promote muscle repair. (http://performancenutrition.herbalife.com/en/products/ rebuild-strength). A serving of Rebuild Strength (50.5 grams) contains 190 kilocalories, 24 grams of protein, 18 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of fat, and vitamins and minerals (C, E, B1, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, chromium, sodium, potassium, all at 10% to 150% Daily Value levels). The 24 grams of protein per serving include whey and casein proteins, L-glutamine (3,000 mg), and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) (4,000 mg). (See nutrition label at the website).

Purpose: To determine if supplementation with Herbalife 24 Rebuild Strength (compared to placebo) before, during, and after a 90-minute bout of eccentric exercise can attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), speed recovery of muscle function, and maintain innate immune function in NASCAR pit crew athletes (Hendrick Motor Sports).

Research design:

Subjects will be randomized to Rebuild Strength or placebo supplements (double blind administration in the same colored bottles, with the code held by Herbalife until the study is completed).

Testing Sequence:

• Subjects will come to the HMS training facility in an overnight fasted state (no food or beverage other than water for the previous 8 hours) and provide a DOMS rating and a blood sample. Height, weight, and percent body fat (skinfolds) will also be obtained.
• Rebuild Strength subjects will consume 2 scoops (50.5 grams of product with 24 grams protein) in water 15-20 min prior to the 90-min eccentric exercise bout. Subjects in the placebo group will consume 2 scoops of the same supplement but without protein or amino acids (with carbohydrate added to keep energy intake the same between groups). Supplements will be prepared by Herbalife and coded "A" and "B", with this double blind code maintained until the study has been completed.
• Muscle function testing will follow supplementation: vertical jump, kneeling medicine ball toss, and the 30-second Wingate test (see description below).
• Subjects will engage in 90-min eccentric exercise (see description below), with 1 scoop of Rebuild Strength (12 grams protein) or placebo ingested after 45 min exercise.
• Immediately following exercise, subjects will ingest 2 scoops Rebuild Strength (24 grams protein) or placebo, provide a DOMS rating and a blood sample, and then take the same three muscle function tests. Total protein intake before, during, and immediately after the 90-min eccentric exercise bout will be 60 grams. All subjects will refrain from any food or beverage intake (except for water) for one hour after taking the final supplement dose.
• Subjects will return at 7 am in an overnight fasted state three days in a row after the eccentric exercise bout, and will provide a DOMS rating and a blood sample followed by ingestion of 2 scoops Rebuild Strength or placebo, and then the three muscle function tests. Subjects will engage in normal training during the 3-day recovery period. The blood samples will be analyzed for markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and immune function.

Eccentric Exercise Bout:

HMS pit crew members engage in eccentric exercise bouts on a regular basis, and are very familiar with the exercises that will be utilized in this study to induce muscle damage and soreness. The 90-minute eccentric exercise bout will consist of 17 different exercises:

• Hammer incline presses with eccentric focus (3 sets, 5 reps).
• Bench presses with resistance bands (3 sets, 20 seconds to fatigue).
• Supine medicine ball (9.1 kg) explosive catch and throws (20 seconds, 3 sets).
• Bent (90○) arm hangs to fatigue (3 sets).
• Eccentric lat pulls (8 reps, 3 sets).
• Partner rowing eccentric pulls (8 reps per arm, 3 sets).
• Eccentric triceps extensions (8 reps per arm, 3 sets).
• Eccentric bicep curls (8 reps, 3 sets).
• Explosive tuck jumps (20 seconds, 3 sets).
• Eccentric back extensions (8 reps, 3 sets).
• Eccentric hamstring curls (8 reps, 3 sets).
• 20 second sprints on inclined treadmills with no electrical power (3 sets).
• Split squats (15 reps each leg, 2 sets).
• Walk 0.40 km with dumbbells, with shoulder shrugs every three steps.
• Isometric abdominal curl with medicine ball (9.1 kg) twisting side to side for 20 seconds (3 sets).
• Abdominal crunches for 20 seconds (3 sets).
• Plank position (elbows and toes) for 45 seconds (2 sets).

Inclusion criteria

• NASCAR pit crew members/recruits from Hendrick Motorsports
• Agree to avoid use of other protein supplements during the 4-day study

Exclusion criteria

• Heart problem or told by an MD not to engage in vigorous exercise
• History of allergies to milk or soy products