Whey protein hydrolysate and muscle recovery in females
What it found
In physically active females, taking whey protein hydrolysate for 4 days after exercise-induced muscle damage improved flexibility and muscle function compared with a carbohydrate drink.
The study was in people.
What they found
Studies in people
Flexibility recovery
Flexibility improved beyond baseline measures following whey protein hydrolysate by 72 hours, but had failed to recover in the carbohydrate group.
Muscle function
Reactive strength index was higher throughout recovery in the whey protein hydrolysate group compared with the carbohydrate group.
Creatine kinase
Reductions in creatine kinase were greater following whey protein hydrolysate compared with carbohydrate at 48 hours post-exercise-induced muscle damage.
Muscle soreness and girth
Time effects were observed for all variables except limb girth, which is indicative of exercise-induced muscle damage.
What the authors conclude
“The findings suggest that 4-day supplementation of WPH is beneficial for reducing symptoms of EIMD and improving recovery of muscle function in physically active females.”
Also in their conclusions
- They suggest that 4-day supplementation of whey protein hydrolysate is beneficial for reducing symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage and improving recovery of muscle function in physically active females.
How it was done
Preliminary data on whey protein hydrolysate supplementation are promising, but its efficacy beyond acute exercise bouts or longer training programmes is limited, and all previous investigations were conducted in male or mixed-sex groups.
Twenty physically active females were assigned to consume 2 doses of 70 mL whey protein hydrolysate or an isoenergetic carbohydrate drink for 4 days after exercise-induced muscle damage. Measures of muscle soreness, limb girth, flexibility, muscle function, and creatine kinase were collected before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 hours postexercise.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The study only included physically active females, so the results may not apply to males or to people who are not physically active.
- It is not known whether the same benefits would be seen with different doses, other types of exercise, or longer supplementation periods.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Gloucestershire, UK; Northumbria University, UK; Newcastle University, UK
The paper
- Title
- Whey protein hydrolysate supplementation accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in females
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Brown MA, Stevenson EJ, Howatson G (2018). Whey protein hydrolysate supplementation accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in females. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. doi:10.1139/apnm-2017-0412PubMed 29106812DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error