Research

Mixed

Supplementing with whey protein hydrolysate before and whey protein plus carbohydrate after endurance training sessions significantly increases specific mitochondrial protein content (Cytochrome C) compared to isocaloric carbohydrate alone, without improving VO2max or time trial performance.

If you are a trained runner, taking whey protein before and protein+carbs after your runs will increase specific mitochondrial proteins (like Cytochrome C) compared to just taking carbs. However, this biochemical change did not result in faster race times or higher VO2max over 6 weeks. You might take it for potential recovery or long-term mitochondrial health, but do not expect it to make you faster than if you just took carbohydrates.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Intake of whey PRO hydrolysate before and whey PRO hydrolysate plus CHO after each exercise session during a six-week endurance training period may augment training effects on specific mitochondrial proteins compared to intake of iso-caloric CHO but does not alter VO2max or 6K TT performance.
Mette Halskov Hansen et al. · Research Square · 2020

Why this rating

Randomized controlled trial with matched pairs, double-blinded, objective biochemical endpoints, though small sample size (n=24).

Source

Supplement with whey protein hydrolysate in contrast to carbohydrate supports mitochondrial adaptations in trained runners

Mette Halskov Hansen et al. · Research Square · 2020

DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-36706/v2

rct · n=24
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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