Why do athletes need protein?
• Protein provides the building blocks for muscle growth. • Resistance training stimulates protein synthesis. • Type, amount and timing of protein intake is important. • Dietary protein surplus to that required for muscle function may become a source of energy. • Protein provides the amino acids to repair muscle damage caused by exercise. • Muscle damage involves micro tears and results in inflammation which is a normal part of your exercise regime. • Micro tears, if repaired properly, enhance muscle adaptation, growth/strength and reduce soreness/inflammation. • The appropriate protein/peptides need to be available to supply the amino acids that are critical for effective repair and recovery of your muscles. • Protein provides a source of energy. • With high intensity exercise, and/or prolonged endurance activity, once carbohydrate (glycogen) is depleted as a source of energy, protein use increases. • Protein makes a small contribution to total energy requirement of exercise. • Protei
