Pre-sleep Protein Supplementation in British Army Recruits

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Protein-energy; Imbalance; Recovery; Body Weight
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate placebo; Dietary Supplement: High protein supplement; Dietary Supplement: Moderate protein supplement

• Registration Number: NCT05998590
• Lead Sponsor: Anglia Ruskin University

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-05-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-05-31
• Study Completion: 2022-05-31
• Status Verified: 2023-07
• Study First Submitted: 2023-08-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-08-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-08-11
• Study First Posted: 2023-08-21
• Last Update Posted: 2023-08-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 122

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 .

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Carbohydrate placebo supplementation	Carbohydrate placebo	A daily isocaloric carbohydrate (maltodextrin) placebo received between 8-9pm during BT.
High protein intake supplementation	High protein supplement	A daily 60g dose of whey protein supplementation received between 8-9pm during BT.
Moderate protein intake supplementation	Moderate protein supplement	A daily 20g dose of whey protein supplementation received between 8-9pm during BT.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lower body strength performance	12 weeks	Mid-thigh pull

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Body composition	12 weeks	Fat-free mass

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Anglia Ruskin University; 🇬🇧 Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom