The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Muscle Damage in Basketball Athletes: A Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

Muscle damage and inflammation are common phenomena associated with aerobic exercise. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of high-protein supplementation on inflammatory and muscle damage indices in basketball athletes.

This clinical trial study was conducted on 44 basketball players aged 20-30 in Kermanshah City, Iran, during an 8-week intervention period. The intervention group was treated with whey protein supplement daily, and the control group received placebo. Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as muscle pain index were measured </em>before and after intervention.

LDH, CK, and muscle pain index were significantly decreased in intervention group; however, AST and hs-CRP were not significantly different between the two groups. There were not significant differences in serum IL-6 </em>concentration between two groups, but showed decreases of IL-6 </em>in intervention group at the end of study. Moreover, there was significant decrease in serum LD </em>and CK level in intervention group at the end of study. There was a significant increase in soft lean mass, and a significant decrease in the percent of body fat in the intervention group.

This study showed the efficacy of whey protein intake on some muscle damage markers in basketball athletes.