The Effects of Protein and Carbohydrate Supplementation on Muscular Regeneration After Intense Resistance Training in Soccer Players

Nutrition is a key element in post-exercise regeneration. Various studies suggest that ingestion of combined carbohydrates and proteins after exercise result in a decrease of inflammatory processes and consequently in an increase of regeneration and physical performance. Recent studies compared the pro-regenerative effects of protein/carbohydrate shakes with the intake of foodstuffs (white bread and high protein cheese) on the skeletal muscle after acute endurance exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a conventional curd/juice shake on the regenerative capacity of soccer players after intensive strength training. Therefore, sixteen young healthy in-season football payers run through a placebo checked double-blind crossover study with two groups. After a standardized training protocol, 3 sets of 12 reps deep back squats and 3 sets of 15 reps drop jumps, the participants ingested either a placebo shake (placebo-group, total calories < 10 kcal) or a conventional shake of 300 g curd and 200 ml grape juice (protein 35.8 g, carbohydrates 43.6 g, fat 0.9 g, total calories 338 kcal). To evaluate the muscle damage effects, serum creatin kinase (CK) as a physiological parameter as well 10 m sprint, counter movement jump (CMJ) and 3RM-squat as functional markers were measured at two time points (t0, t24). In addition, the CK of five players was analysed after a soccer match. The results show a positive trend concerning sprint and squat performance in the shake group. Especially in the squat group a significant decrease of performance was observed in the placebo group compared to the shake group (PL: −5.0 kg, P ≤ 05, SH: −3,2 kg, P = .10). In CMJ and CK no difference was observed between the two groups. In both groups, the jump in CMJ decreased and the CK value increased significantly. The increase in CK due to intensive resistance training is also comparable to the muscle damage after a football match. In summary, it was found that a quark/juice shake has a positive influence on strength performance in soccer players after intensive strength training. These findings confirm observations from previous studies. However, the positive effects on CK could not be observed in this study. Therefore, further research on conventional foodstuff after resistance training is necessary. No funding.