Suffering from post-gym muscle pain? The solution probably isn’t a protein shake, suggest scientists

A study published in the Journal of Human Kinetics compared three different types of post-workout drinks and found that none is more effective than the other at enhancing muscle recovery. The three drinks in question are whey-protein shake, milk-based protein shake and carbohydrate drink.

Researchers at the University of Lincoln said that proteins and carbohydrates are important for repairing muscle fibers after intensive strength training. They add, however, that there are some things to consider before deciding on a particular protein drink.

“Our research suggests that varying the form of protein immediately following training does not strongly influence the recovery response or reduce muscle pain,” said Dr. Thomas Gee, one of the authors of the study.

No additional benefit from protein-drink consumption

Muscles feel sore about 48 hours after an intense workout session. This is particularly true for strength or resistance training, which involves working on muscular strength and endurance.

To recover and cope with the soreness, people usually drink protein shakes and carbohydrate drinks. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle, while carbohydrates restore glycogen levels. Glycogen is the primary form of stored glucose in the body.

In the study, the researchers tested the effectiveness of whey protein hydrolysate and milk-based formulated drinks – two types of protein drinks – on the recovery of muscle function after an intense resistance exercise.

They compared the two drinks with a carbohydrate-only drink, each of which contained the same amount of calories. Thirty male participants age 20 to 30 years old received one of the three drinks after an intense resistance training session. Then the men revisited the laboratory after 24 and 48 hours.

In each visit, the researchers asked the participants to rate muscle soreness from a scale of 0, or no muscle pain, to 200, or pain as bad as it could be. They also administered additional physical tests.

Results showed that the muscle soreness of all three groups rose to over 90, while muscle power and function were also reduced. However, there were no significant differences between the three groups at either 24 or 48 hours.

These findings suggest that neither whey-protein based shakes nor milk-based formulas enhanced muscle recovery when compared to the carbohydrate drink. As it is, protein consumption provided no additional benefit to muscle recovery. (Related: If you work out, you need magnesium: It promotes recovery after strenuous exercise.)

Does this mean protein shakes are not effective?

The findings of the study offer a differing interpretation of the effectiveness of protein drinks. However, it is important to note that the study had limitations.

For instance, there were only 30 participants involved, which is too few to be considered conclusive. In fact, this is a common issue among studies in the same area of research.

There is also no true control group in the study. Carbohydrate-only solutions have previously been found to replenish glycogen and help in the recovery of muscle function. This means that the three drinks may have produced the same effect, explaining the lack of significant differences among them. Adding a water-only control group could have clarified the effects of the three drinks.

Furthermore, people might be consuming protein and carbohydrate drinks for other reasons. Research shows that protein supplements can help people gain muscle mass and improve strength.

Still, there is no clear answer as to whether protein shakes can speed up muscle recovery and lessen muscle pain. Further research is needed to ascertain their precise effects.

Learn about the best foods to eat after an intense workout at Slender.news.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

JOHK.pl