Whey protein improves exercise performance and biochemical profiles in trained mice

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Sports Science

Background:

• Aerobic exercise training impacts body composition and biochemical markers.
• Nutritional interventions, such as whey protein supplementation, are explored for their potential to modulate exercise outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation on health and exercise performance during aerobic training.
• To determine if WP can enhance outcomes in an aerobic exercise training protocol.

Main Methods:

• 40 male ICR mice were divided into sedentary and exercise training groups, with and without WP supplementation (4.1 g·kg).
• Exercise groups underwent 6 weeks of swimming endurance training.
• Evaluated exercise performance via grip strength, exhaustive swimming time, body composition, and biochemical parameters.

Main Results:

• Whey protein supplementation decreased body weight, muscle mass, and liver/BAT relative weights.
• WP supplementation increased grip strength and levels of albumin and total protein.
• WP supplementation showed a slight increase in endurance time.

Conclusions:

• Whey protein supplementation improved exercise performance and body composition in mice.
• WP supplementation positively influenced biochemical markers relevant to exercise.
• Whey protein may serve as an effective ergogenic aid for aerobic exercise training.