How different post-workout meals affect muscle protein building
Impact of Food Combinations on the Stimulation of Post-exercise Muscle Protein Synthesis in Healthy Adults
This trial tests whether eating potato plus beef, bread plus beef, or beef alone right after resistance exercise changes muscle protein building in healthy, recreationally active young adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Urbana, Illinois and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07367854 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Fifteen recreationally active young adults will take part in a semi-crossover randomized protocol where each participant completes a resistance exercise session followed by one of three meal conditions on separate visits. Participants receive stable isotope tracer infusions and undergo repeated blood draws and muscle biopsies to track whole-body leucine kinetics, amino acid levels, anabolic signaling, and myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. The three post-exercise conditions are a russet potato with lean ground beef, white bread with lean ground beef, or lean beef alone, with meal macronutrients closely matched. Data will compare how the food matrix and carbohydrate/fiber differences influence post-exercise protein metabolism.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, recreationally active adults about 19–40 years old who are weight-stable and, if female, premenopausal with regular menstrual cycles.
Not a fit: Older adults, sedentary individuals, pregnant people, those with irregular menstrual cycles, or anyone with medical conditions that affect protein metabolism are unlikely to get direct benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help people choose post-exercise meals that better support muscle repair and growth.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows that consuming protein, especially leucine-rich sources, after resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis, but direct comparisons of whole-food combinations like potato versus bread with beef are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 19-40 yrs * Pre-menopausal * Recreationally-active * Weight stable for prior 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Age outside of range (20 - 35 yrs) * Pregnancy * Irregular menstrual cycles (i.e., \~21 day or \~35 day cycle) * Participation in previous research using L-\[1-13C\] leucine and L-\[ring-2H5\] phenylalanine * Participation in other ongoing research that interferes with this study (e.g., conflicting diet, activity interventions, etc.)
Where this trial is running
Urbana, Illinois and 1 other locations
- Louise Freer Hall — Urbana, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Louise Freer Hall — Urbana, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nicholas A Burd (Full Professor), PhD
- Email: naburd@illinois.edu
- Phone: 2172440970
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.