Effect Of Whey Protein Isolate On Cortisol Awakening Response In Recreationally Active Women
OLDHAM, MICHAEL D.; Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: July 2020 - Volume 52 - Issue 7S - p 106
INTRODUCTION: The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a major role during stress responses and is associated with the secretion of cortisol. Serum cortisol concentration peaks between 30 and 45min after awakening, and is known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Disruptions in CAR have been associated with repetitive strenuous physical exercise. Whey protein branched chain amino acids (BCAA) compete for tryptophan transporters in the brain, subsequently reducing fatigue associated with exercise.
PURPOSE: To determine the effects of whey protein on CAR after strenuous exercise, in recreationally active women, on post-exercise days.
METHODS: Eleven recreationally active women (19 ± 2 yrs; VO2max = 31.6 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min) completed a double blinded, randomized, cross-over placebo trial, with a 7 day washout between trials. The supplement regimen (25g of maltodextrin (PL) or 25g of maltodextrin plus 25g of whey protein isolate (WH)) was given between 8am - 9am and 30min prior to exercise on 3 consecutive days of each trial. On Day 2 and 3 of each trial participants walked 30 min on a treadmill at 70-75% VO2max (21.7 ± 0.1 ml/kg/min), rested 5 min, and completed a 30s Wingate anaerobic threshold test (WAnT). Saliva (2ml) was collected on days 1-4 of PL and WH, between 6am and 8am, immediately upon waking and every 15 min for the next hour. Saliva samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the area under the curve (total AUC) was calculated for cortisol. A repeated measures ANOVA (2 trial x 4 days) was used to determine significant differences (p<.05) in cortisol AUC. A repeated measures ANOVA (2 trial x 2 day) was used to determine significant differences (p<.05) in WAnT fatigue index.
RESULTS: Main effect means for AUC were significantly different (p = 0.033) between PL (33.36 ± 2.0 μg*hr/dL) and WH (30.88 ± 0.8 μg*hr/dL). No significant difference (p=0.149) in WAnT fatigue index means occurred between PL (20.79 ± 6.1% Day 2 & 21.97 ± 6.4% Day 3) and WH trials (22.52 ± 6.2% Day 2 & 22.78 ± 6.4% Day 3).
CONCLUSIONS: Whey protein isolate may decrease CAR on post-exercise days, in recreationally active women, indicating a possible reduction in central fatigue associated with strenuous exercise, but may not alter the ability to perform short-duration sprint cycling.