The Exercise and Protein Study looked at how different amounts of protein intake can help children with optimum muscle growth and recovery after exercise.

To do this, we tried to answer the following questions:

• What is the effect of varying levels of protein intake on whole body protein balance following exercise in children?
• Is providing protein immediately following or hours after exercise optimal for meeting the protein needs of children?

What did this study involve?

The children had fitness tests and we measured their body composition (muscle and fat). They then came in and we gave them drinks with different amounts of protein after they exercised. They also came in on days and just had the protein drink but did not exercise. We measured their whole body protein balance to see which amount of protein worked best.

Who participated in this study?

Healthy, active boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years participated.

What were the results?

We are still putting some of the results together, so check back with us! Some of the results have been published here:

Post-exercise protein ingestion increases whole body net protein balance in children (PDF).