Do Athletes Need More Dietary Protein and Amino Acids?

in International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

Click name to view affiliation

Peter W. R. Lemon
Search for other papers by Peter W. R. Lemon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

The current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein is based primarily on data derived from subjects whose lifestyles were essentially sedentary. More recent well-designed studies that have employed either the classic nitrogen balance approach or the more technically difficult metabolic tracer technique indicate that overall protein needs (as well as needs for some specific individual amino acids) are probably increased for those who exercise regularly. Although the roles of the additionally required dietary protein and amino acids are likely to be quite different for those who engage in endurance exercise (protein required as an auxiliary fuel source) as opposed to strength exercise (amino acids required as building blocks for muscle development), it appears that both groups likely will benefit from diets containing more protein than the current RDA of 0.8 g · kg−1 · day1. Strength athletes probably need about 1.4-1.8 g · kg−1 · day1 and endurance athletes about 1.2-1.4 g · kg−1 · day1.

Peter W.R. Lemon is with the Applied Physiology Research Laboratory, 163 MACC Annex, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 6912 1574 49
Full Text Views 198 39 2
PDF Downloads 200 35 3