Carbohydrate vs protein supplementation for recovery of neuromuscular function following prolonged load carriage

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of carbohydrate and whey protein supplements on recovery of neuromuscular function after prolonged load carriage. METHODS: Ten male participants (body mass: 81.5 ± 10.5 kg, age: 28 ± 9 years, [Image: see text] O(2)max: 55.0 ± 5.5 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed three treadmill walking tests (2 hr, 6.5 km·h(-1)), carrying a 25 kg backpack consuming 500 ml of either: (1) Placebo (flavoured water) [PLA], (2) 6.4% Carbohydrate Solution [CHO] or (3) 7.0% Whey Protein Solution [PRO]. For three days after load carriage, participants consumed two 500 ml supplement boluses. Muscle performance was measured before and at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after load carriage, during voluntary and electrically stimulated contractions. RESULTS: Isometric knee extension force decreased immediately after load carriage with no difference between conditions. During recovery, isometric force returned to pre-exercise values at 48 h for CHO and PRO but at 72 h for PLA. Voluntary activation decreased immediately after load carriage and returned to pre-exercise values at 24 h in all conditions (P = 0.086). During recovery, there were no differences between conditions for the change in isokinetic peak torque. Following reductions immediately after load carriage, knee extensor and flexor peak torque (60°·s(-1)) recovered to pre-exercise values at 72 h. Trunk extensor and flexor peak torque (15°·s(-1)) recovered to pre-exercise values at 24 h (P = 0.091) and 48 h (P = 0.177), respectively. CONCLUSION: Recovery of neuromuscular function after prolonged load carriage is improved with either carbohydrate or whey protein supplementation for isometric contractions but not for isokinetic contractions.