Download Page 1 Jordan Knoepfel Professor Buns Foundations of Human

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Jordan Knoepfel
Professor Buns
Foundations of Human Performance
April 10, 2013
Whey Protein Stimulation
The classic paper that I have chosen to review covers the stimulating effects of whey
protein synthesis before and after exercise. This research also provides insight to how valuable
nutrient ingestion is and how it influences the anabolic responses of muscles. It is evident
throughout the paper that the whey studies conducted in July of 2006 provide solid evidence to
how powerful this substance can be. Apart from revealing the potency of whey, the goal taken by
this team of researchers was to show it's effects on blood flow and its ability to harness
concentrations of free amino acids within the human body.
Nutritional influences on muscle recovery post exercise has received increased attention
in recent years. The authors explain this popular topic by revealing the role of amino acids. “It is
clear that provision of amino acids, whether in free form or as intact proteins, in association with
resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis and results in net muscle protein synthesis,
i.e., positive net muscle protein balance” (Tipton, Elliott, Cree, Aarsland, Sanford, Wolfe, 2006,
p. 1). This shows how there is a positive correlation between strength training and consumption
of amino acids/proteins.
The researchers then go into even further detail in regards to amino acids. Tipton (2006)
recently found how the timing of ingestion of amino acids and proteins in relation to exercise is
significant. “We demonstrated that there was a similar response to an essential amino acid
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(EAA)/carbohydrate solution when given at 1 compared to 3 h post exercise. However, when
EAA was ingested before exercise, the response of muscle anabolism was greater than
immediately or 1 or 3 h after exercise” (Tipton, et al., 2006, p. 1-2). They found that the most
obvious explanation for the greater response when these amino acids were ingested before
exercise was due to an actual increase in delivery to the muscles. This means that muscles
absorb amino acids more readily when ingested before exercise rather than after.
Like amino acids, whey protein has similar effects such as muscle protein synthesis.
Some effects, however, are very different. According to a particular study, in elderly subjects,
muscle fiber cross-sectional area was increased more when protein was ingested immediately
following exercise, rather than 2 hours post exercise (Tipton, et al., 2006). According to this
data, whey protein is not as effective pre-exercise as is free forms of amino acids.
For another study, the researchers gathered healthy, young male and female individuals
who had not participated in resistance training for more than five years. The subjects were then
assigned to one of two groups receiving a solution of 20 grams whey protein either before or one
hour after a heavy leg workout routine. There were no placebos given in this study.
After the protein was taken and the exercises complete, the subjects waited five hours
until testing to fully allow the proteins to saturate within the blood and muscles. Analysis was
then taken from both the blood and muscle tissue. Tipton (2006) analyzed the blood using an
internal standard solution. The solution was added once the vile containing the blood had been
inspected. When the solution was introduced to the blood, data could be extracted to calculate
blood amino acid concentration.
Muscle biopsy tissue samples were also analyzed for free intracellular amino acid
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concentrations. These biopsies were then immediately blotted and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The
samples were stored at negative 80 degrees Celsius until processed (Tipton, et al., 2006).
Keeping the samples cold was to ensure there was no decay between extraction and examination.
Upon thawing, the tissue was weighed and the protein was precipitated with percloroacetic acid.
Once all this was completed the amino acid concentration could be measured.
The results showed that for the group who consumed the protein pre-workout, blood flow
was significantly greater than rest during and following exercise. For the post-workout group,
blood flow was significantly greater than rest at 45 minutes following exercise and during the
final measurement five hours after the exercise. This led the researchers to conclude that the
whey indeed “kickstarted” the blood flow during the workout for the pre-workout group and
prolonged blood circulation for the post-workout group (Tipton, et al., 2006).
The amino acid exchange between the two groups, however, was not very significant. As
the data was calculated up to five hours, amino acid exchange (AUC) was not statistically
greater for either group despite large difference between the means. This was due to one
individual with a value much greater than all the values (Tipton, et al., 2006). This can happen
due to individuality and uniqueness between individuals and their body's ability to absorb
nutrients.
In conclusion to this research, there was an anabolic response to the ingestion of 20
grams protein whether ingested before or after exercise. The differences, however, were not
significant although there was large variability in the response and some subjects did exhibit
large uptake of amino acids by the leg when the protein was ingested before exercise (Tipton, et
al., 2006). Unlike the response free forms of amino acids have on the human body, there is little
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difference between taking whey protein before or after exercise. Tipton (2006) states, “It seems
that muscle protein accretion is stimulated by ingestion of whey proteins, and the timing of the
ingestion in relation to the exercise is not as important for this response as it was for essential
amino acids” (Tipton, et al., 2006, p. 8).
I feel this paper leaves a tremendous impact in the field of exercise and nutrition. It
proves that there is a positive anabolic correlation between whey protein and exercise. It also
proves that such substances indeed speed blood flow throughout the arteries/veins. Showing the
differences between free form amino acids and protein is also very helpful for those who believe
that amino acids and proteins are just one in the same in their effects on the human body. For
those who undergo rigorous training exercise this research could prove very beneficial as they
could consume an optimal amount of amino acids before a workout and a blend of whey protein
after to achieve maximum results. For those who partake in both college and professional sports,
this could also be very important in their training regime since there are several legal forms of
both substances.
Apart from what I have already stated, I feel I have learned a lot in regards to not only
what proteins do, but what they consist of, and what the amino acids consist of. I have learned
what makes the six key amino acids essential and how formations of such particles can fight
certain diseases such as cancer. Figuring the function of whey protein has also revealed some
other effects from muscle building such as lowering risk of osteoporosis. Apart from these
examples, I have found that these substances should be incorporated into both male and female
diets to ensure a healthier lifestyle.
I am so glad I chose this paper to review because I have always had a fascination about
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the human body and what makes it function. Finding how substances such as whey can enable
stronger functions is very interesting and leaves me wanting to know more in regards to what
other natural substances the body can use beneficially. I also liked how the research was very
thorough and detailed giving the reader as much information to the study as possible. The only
part that I didn't really like about the paper was there contained no explanation to some key
terms such as phenylalanine balance and why this standard balance was a certain number. “Net
phenylalanine balance was significantly increased following ingestion during exercise for PRE
but declined to baseline levels near the end of the exercise” (Tipton, et al., pg. 6). I also had to
look up why certain syringes were used in the experiment, as well as why certain areas of the leg
received muscle tissue extraction. An example of this from page 6 of Tipton (2006) states, “A 3FR, 8-cm, polyethylene catheter was inserted in the femoral vein and femoral artery”. I was just
curious to know as to why the researchers chose to use such a large catheter to extract fluids
when there was no explanation.
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Works Cited
Tipton, K. D., Elliott, T. A., Cree, M. G., Aarsland, A. A., Sanford, A. P., Wolfe, R. R. (2006).
Stimulation of net muscle protein synthesis by whey protein ingestion before and after
exercise. American Journal of Physiology- Endocrinology and Metabolism, 292, E71E76.