Cricket versus whey protein to build muscle

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Participants will be screened at the University of Surrey and then follow a supervised 12-week resistance training program while taking a daily protein supplement made from either cricket or whey protein. Researchers will measure immediate muscle anabolic responses after a bout of resistance exercise using blood samples and muscle biopsies, and will track changes in muscle mass and strength over the 12 weeks. Eligible adults must be weight-stable, have been resistance training at least three times per week for two years, and agree to provide blood and muscle tissue samples. The study compares the nutritional and functional effects of an insect-derived protein to a commonly used animal-derived protein to determine practical equivalence for muscle support.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult males and females in general good health (aged 18+)
* BMI between 18.5 and 35 kg/m2
* Weight stable for 3 months (± 2 kg)
* Volunteers must be able and willing to give informed written consent
* Volunteers must be willing to provide blood and muscle tissue samples
* Volunteers must have been resistance training at least 3x per week for a minimum of 2 years
* Volunteers must be willing to follow a resistance training programme and consume a daily protein supplement for 12 weeks
* Not allergic to local anaesthetic

Exclusion Criteria:

* Injury or illness that prevents the adherence to 12 weeks resistance training and protein supplementation
* Those with metabolic conditions such as diabetes
* Those taking nutritional ergogenic aids (e.g. creatine, beta-alanine, sodium bicarbonate, dietary nitrate etc.)
* Those smoking, using nicotine products (e.g., e-cigarettes, patches) or not abstained from these activities for more than 6 months
* Pregnant or lactating (those who become pregnant during this study must notify the researchers immediately and the participant will be removed)
* Volunteers with a habitual caffeine intake \>400 mg/day (more than 5 cups standard coffee)
* Drug or alcohol abuse in the last 2 years
* Those who are taking performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) or have previously taken PEDs in the previous 10 years
* Those who do not refrain from alcohol, caffeine containing drinks (e.g., coffee, coca cola, tea, Red Bull) and strenuous exercise 12 hours before the phase 1 visit
* Those with food allergies
* Those following weight loss diets
* Those who are vegan, vegetarian or refrain from dairy/egg consumption

Where it's running

• University of Surrey, Stag Hill Campus
  Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ralph Manders, PhD — University of Surrey
• Study coordinator: James AG Rutherford, MSc
• Email: j.rutherford@surrey.ac.uk
• Phone: +447540435440

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.