Effect of Daily Doses of Rice or Whey Protein on Resistance Training Adaptations

The study will be conducted using a randomized, double-blind approach with individuals being provided two doses of either 15 grams of rice or 15 grams of whey protein over an 8-week supplementation period while completing a heavy resistance training. One dose will be ingested within one hour of completing each workout and the other dose will be ingested within an hour of going to bed. On non-workout days, one dose of 30 grams will be ingested within 60 minutes of going to bed. The resistance training protocol will follow a linear periodization, split-body resistance training design consisting of two upper body and two lower body workouts each week resulting in each muscle group being trained twice each week. To minimize the influence of training experience and any learning effect, individuals with at least 12 months of resistance training history will be recruited. Participants will also be required to complete a two-week lead-in period (8 total workouts) before beginning the supplementation regimen to become accustomed to the training program and to account for any early neurological adaptations. Participants will then continue to follow the resistance training program for an additional 8 weeks. To assess the efficacy of the two different forms of protein supplementation on resistance training adaptations, changes in fat-free, lean, and fat mass will be determined using DEXA. Maximal strength and endurance of both upper and lower-body muscle groups will be determined while anaerobic capacity markers will be measured with the completion of a Wingate anaerobic capacity test. Participants will also be provided nutritional recommendations in order to ensure adequate energy and macronutrient consumption to facilitate positive training adaptations and eliminate any potential influence of differing dietary intakes.