INTRODUCTION: Futsal is a demanding team sport that involves strenuous high-intensity bouts of running accelerations and decelerations along with kicking, tackling, turning, changes of direction and repeated sprinting; these demands require high strength and power of the lower limbs. Additionally, like other small-sided games, futsal requires a high level of aerobic capacity (VO2max 55.2 to 62.8 mL.kg-1.min-1). Evidence indicates that protein supplementation enhances muscle strength and hypertrophy, while it may also play a role in muscle repair and recovery from endurance exercise, and further improve VO2max. However, to our knowledge no study has investigated the effects of protein supplementation in futsal players. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a novel plant-based protein matrix and whey protein supplementation on body composition, power, and aerobic performance in trained futsal players. Given that both protein sources provided identical amounts of protein and essential amino acids, we hypothesized that changes would be similar between conditions. METHODS: Fifty young (18-35 y) male futsal players from national level futsal clubs volunteered to participate in this 8-week study; forty participants completed the investigation. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: novel plant-based protein (PB) or whey protein (WP). The final sample was comprised of both professional and semi-professional players. Players were assessed for weight (kg), height (cm) and whole-body composition [lean body mass (LBM, kg), absolute and percentage fat mass (FM, kg and %)] using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) according to the procedures recommended by the manufacturer. Anaerobic power was assessed via a supramaximal cycling test - Wingate, performed on a cycle ergometer. Participants were instructed to cycle as fast as possible against a predetermined resistance (7.5% of the participant`s body mass) for 30 s. Aerobic performance was assessed via VO2max determined by a breath-by-breath gas analyzer in an incremental treadmill test. After a 3-minute warm-up at 5 km·h-1, participants began the test at 6 km·h-1 and 2% grade. Each minute the speed increased 1 km·h-1 until volitional exhaustion so that fatigue would be induced within 8-12 minutes. RESULTS: No time or time*group interactions were observed in any of the studied variables (p>0.05) with only a time effect being observed regarding a FM reduction (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with some, but not all studies comparing whey protein with plant-based proteins. Methodological and protein matrix differences may account for these discrepancies between studies. Our findings suggest that whey protein does not possess any unique anabolic properties over and above those of plant-based proteins when equated for the essential amino acid profile.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Julkaistu Tekijä Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator