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This study aimed to estimate nitrogen balance and protein requirements in adolescent sprint athletes as a function of growth rate and physical development. Sixty adolescent sprint athletes were followed up biannually over a 2-yr period. Individual growth curves and age at peak height velocity were determined. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was estimated based on anthropometric measurements and fat mass was estimated by underwater densitometry. Seven-day diet and physical activity diaries were completed to estimate energy balance and protein intake. Nitrogen analysis of 24-hr urine samples collected on 1 weekday and 1 weekend day allowed calculation of nitrogen balance. Body height, weight, and SMM increased throughout the study period in both genders. Mean protein intakes were between 1.4 and 1.6 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ in both genders. A protein intake of 1.46 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ in girls and 1.35 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ in boys was needed to yield a positive nitrogen balance. This did not differ between participants during and after their growth spurt. None of the growth parameters was significantly related to nitrogen balance. It can be concluded that a mean protein intake around 1.5 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ was sufficient to stay in a positive nitrogen balance, even during periods of peak growth. Therefore, protein intake should not be enhanced in peak periods of linear or muscular growth.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of post-exercise macronutrient intake on weight loss, protein metabolism, and endurance exercise performance during a period of increased training volume. Ten healthy young female endurance athletes performed 4 60-min bouts of cycle ergometry at ~65% of V̇O_2peak on 4 days (day 1, 3, 4, and 6) during 2 separate 1-week periods. On day 7. participants performed a ride to exhaustion at ~75% of V̇O_2peak. One of the 7-day periods served as a control condition, where a placebo beverage was consumed following the exercise bouts on days 1, 3, 4, and 6 (CON). During the other 7-day protocol (POST), participants consumed a predefined formula beverage with added carbohydrate following the exercise bouts on days 1. 3,4, and 6. Energy intake and macronutrient proportions were the same between the 2 trials; the only difference was the timing at which the macronutrients were consumed. Calculated fat oxidation was greater during exercise on day 6 during POST as compared to CON (p < .05). Glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher (p < .05) following exercise during POST as compared to CON. There was a trend (p = .06) for nitrogen balance to be greater on days 5 and 6 with POST as compared to CON. Time to exhaustion during exercise on day 7 was longer during POST as compared to CON (p < .05). POST resulted in a maintenance of body weight during the 7-day protocol, while there was a significant (p < .05) reduction with CON. It was concluded that post-exercise macronutrient intake following endurance exercise can attenuate reductions in body weight and improve nitrogen balance during 7 days of increased energy expenditure. Importantly, post-exercise supplementation improved time to exhaustion during a subsequent bout of endurance exercise.

This paper reviews the factors (exercise intensity, carbohydrate availability, exercise type, energy balance, gender, exercise training, age, and timing of nutrient intake or subsequent exercise sessions) thought to influence protein need. Although there remains some debate, recent evidence suggests that dietary protein need increases with rigorous physical exercise. Those involved in strength training might need to consume as much as 1.6 to 1.7 g protein ⋅ kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ (approximately twice the current RDA) while those undergoing endurance training might need about 1.2 to 1.4 g ⋅ kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ (approximately 1.5 times the current RDA). Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these recommendations and assess whether these protein intakes can enhance exercise performance. Despite the frequently expressed concern about adverse effects of high protein intake, there is no evidence that protein intakes in the range suggested will have adverse effects in healthy individuals.

This study was designed to investigate the impact of dietary protein intake on serum concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 and relative amounts of serum IGFBP-3 during 6 d of physical activity. Ten men (23.8 ± 2.0 y of age) were assigned to 1 of 3 trials in a random crossover design. Each trial was isocaloric but with varying amounts of dietary protein: 50 g, 100 g, or 200 g. Subjects expended 500 kcal through treadmill running or weightlifting on alternate days for 6 d. Fasting blood samples were obtained for measurement of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3. Pre–post 24-h urine was measured for urea nitrogen. 50 g/d of protein resulted in a negative nitrogen balance, whereas 100 g/d and 200 g/d resulted in a positive nitrogen balance—200 g greater (P < 0.05) than 50 g and 100 g. Baseline IGF-I, BP-1, and BP-3 were not different among treatments. IGF-I decreased (P = 0.002) during the 6 d. Post intervention IGFBP-I was greater (P = 0.03) than at baseline. Post intervention IGFBP-3 values were not different from baseline or between trials. A 6-d modification of protein intake, while in energy balance, during a strength and conditioning program does not appear to modify serum concentrations of IGF-I or IGFBP-1 or relative amounts of IGFBP-3.

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 · ${\text{day}}_{-1}$ . Strength athletes probably need about 1.4-1.8 g · kg⁻¹ · ${\text{day}}_{-1}$ and endurance athletes about 1.2-1.4 g · kg⁻¹ · ${\text{day}}_{-1}$ .