Summary
The effects of two levels of protein intake on muscle performance and energy metabolism were studied in humans submitted to repeated daily sessions of prolonged exercise at moderate altitude. For this purpose, 29 healthy males, were exposed to seven successive stages of ski-mountaineering at altitudes between 2500 and 3 800 m, and to an isocaloric diet (4000 kcal·day−1, 16760 kJ·day−1) with either 1.5g·kg−1·day−1 (C group,n =14), or 2.5 g·kg−1·day−1 (PR group,n =15) protein intake. Measurements made after the ski-mountaineering programme did not show any change in body mass. The peak torque during maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps muscle was unaffected by the repeated exercises, whereas the endurance time at 50% MVC was decreased in PR subjects (−26.8%,P<0.001). Increased levels of both free fatty acids (+147%,P<0.001) and glycerol (+170%,P<0.001) observed in C subjects would suggest that lipolysis was enhanced after the repeated exercise. The plasma amino acid pattern was altered after completion of the ski-mountaineering programme; the plasma concentration of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) was significantly decreased in C subjects, whereas the higher level of protein intake (PR group) greatly minimized the exercise-induced decrease in serum BCAA.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bergmeyer HU (1974) Methods of enzymatic analysis. Academic Press, New York
Blomstrand E, Celsing F, Newsholme EA (1988) Changes in plasma concentrations of aromatic and branched-chain amino acids during sustained exercise in man and their possible role in fatigue. Acta Physiol Scand 133:115–121
Blomstrand E, Hassmen P, Ekblom B, Newsholme EA (1991) Administration of branched-chain amino acids during sustained exercise — effects on performance and on plasma concentration of some amino acids. Eur J Appl Physiol 63:83–89
Boyer SJ, Blume FD (1984) Weight loss and changes in body composition at high altitude. J Appl Physiol 57:1580–1585
Brouns F, Saris WHM, Stroecken J, Beckers E, Thijssen R, Rehrer NJ, Ten Hoor F (1989) Eating, drinking and cycling. A controlled Tour de France simulation study, part II. Effect of diet manipulation. Int J Sports Med 10:S41-S48
Chaouloff F, Elghozi JL, Guezennec CY, Laude D (1985) Effects of conditionned running on plasma, liver and brain tryptophan and on brain 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism of the rat. Br J Pharmacol 86:33–41
Christensen HN (1982) Interorgan amino acid nutrition. Physiol Rev 62:1193–1233
Costill DL, Bowers R, Granam G (1971) Muscle glycogen utilization during prolonged exercise on successive days. J Appl Physiol 31:834–838
Decombaz J, Reinhardt P, Anantharaman K, von Glutz G, Poortmans JR (1979) Biochemical changes in a 100 km run: free amino acids, urea, and creatinine. Eur J Appl Physiol 41:61–72
Dohm GL, Israel RG, Breedlove RL, Williams RT, Askew EW (1985) Biphasic changes in 3-methylhistidine excretion in humans after exercise. Am J Physiol 248:E588-E592
Dohm GL, Tapscott EB, Kasperek GJ (1987) Protein degradation during endurance exercise and recovery. Med Sci Sports Exerc 19:S166-S171
Fulco CS, Cymerman A, Pimental NA, Young AJ, Maher JT (1985) Anthropometric changes at high altitude. Aviat Space Environ Med 56:220–224
Goldberg AL, Odessey R (1972) Oxidation of amino acids by diaphragms from fed and fasted rats. Am J Physiol 223:1384–1391
Haralambie G, Berg A (1976) Serum urea and amino nitrogen changes with exercise duration. Eur J Appl Physiol 36:39–48
Haymond MW, Miles JM (1982) Branched-chain amino acids as a major source of alanine nitrogen in man. Diabetes 31:86–89
Ho PJ (1970) Radiochemical assay of long chain fatty acids using 63 N as tracer. Anal Biochem 36:105–113
Hood DA, Terjung RL (1990) Amino acid metabolism during exercise and following endurance training. Sports Med 9:2335
Noakes TD (1987) Effect of exercise on serum enzyme activities in humans. Sports Med 4:245–267
Saltin B, Karlsson J (1971) Muscle glycogen utilization during work of different intensities. In: Pernow B, Saltin B (eds) Muscle metabolism during exercise. Plenum, New York, pp 289–300
Schantz P, Henriksson J, Janson E (1983) Adaptation of human skeletal muscle to endurance training of long duration. Clin Physiol 3:141–151
Stein TP, Syt RW, O'Toole M, Leskiw MJ, Schluter MD, Wolfe RR, Hiller WDB (1989) Protein and energy metabolism during prolonged exercise in trained athletes. Int J Sports Med 10:311–316
Wagenmakers AJM (1992) Role of amino acids and ammonia in mechanisms of fatigue. Muscle fatigue mechanisms in exercise and training. Med Sport Sci 34:69–86
Wagenmakers AJM, Beckers EJ, Brouns F, Kuipers H, Soeters PB, van der Vusse GJ, Saris WHM (1991) Carbohydrate supplementation, glycogen depletion, and amino acid metabolism during exercise. Am J Physiol 260:E883-E890
Walberg JL, Leidy MK, Sturgill DJ, Hinkle DE, Ritchey SJ, Sebolt DR (1988a) Macronutrient content of a hypoenergy diet affects nitrogen retention and muscle function in weight lifters. Int J Sports Med 9:261–266
Walberg JL, Ruiz VK, Tarlton SL, Hinkle DE, Thye FW (1988b) Exercise capacity and nitrogen loss during a high or low carbohydrate diet. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20:34–43
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bigard, A.X., Satabin, P., Lavier, P. et al. Effects of protein supplementation during prolonged exercise at moderate altitude on performance and plasma amino acid pattern. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 66, 5–10 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00863392
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00863392