The effect of combined β-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance exercise training prior to limb immobilisation on muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy young adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The decline in skeletal muscle mass experienced following a short-term period (days to weeks) of muscle disuse is mediated by impaired rates of muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Previous RCTs of exercise or nutrition prehabilitation interventions designed to mitigate disuse-induced muscle atrophy have reported limited efficacy. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a complex prehabilitation intervention that combines β-lactoglobulin (a novel milk protein with a high leucine content) supplementation with resistance exercise training on disuse-induced changes in free-living integrated rates of MPS in healthy, young adults. METHODS/DESIGN: To address this aim, we will recruit 24 healthy young (18–45 years) males and females to conduct a parallel, double-blind, 2-arm, randomised placebo-controlled trial. The intervention group will combine a 7-day structured resistance exercise training programme with thrice daily dietary supplementation with 23 g of β-lactoglobulin. The placebo group will combine the same training programme with an energy-matched carbohydrate (dextrose) control. The study protocol will last 16 days for each participant. Day 1 will be a familiarisation session and days 2–4 will be the baseline period. Days 5–11 represent the ‘prehabilitation period’ whereby participants will combine resistance training with their assigned dietary supplementation regimen. Days 12–16 represent the muscle disuse-induced ‘immobilisation period’ whereby participants will have a single leg immobilised in a brace and continue their assigned dietary supplementation regimen only (i.e. no resistance training). The primary endpoint of this study is the measurement of free-living integrated rates of MPS using deuterium oxide tracer methodology. Measurements of MPS will be calculated at baseline, over the 7-day prehabilitation period and over the 5-day immobilisation period separately. Secondary endpoints include measurements of muscle mass and strength that will be collected on days 4 (baseline), 11 (end of prehabilitation) and 16 (end of immobilisation). DISCUSSION: This novel study will establish the impact of a bimodal prehabilitation strategy that combines ß-lactoglobulin supplementation and resistance exercise training in modulating MPS following a short-term period of muscle disuse. If successful, this complex intervention may be translated to clinical practice with application to patients scheduled to undergo, for example, hip or knee replacement surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05496452. Registered on August 10, 2022. Protocol version: 16-12-2022/1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-023-07329-6.