Whey Protein For Endurance Athletes

Whey protein has been a staple of the athletic diet for many years. Whey protein products, such as our Whey Protein 80, are therefore quite possibly the most popular sports supplement on the market today. Whey protein is lauded by both strength and endurance athletes for the vast array of training and physique benefits it can provide.

Benefits of Whey Protein

Whey protein is thought to be the best form of protein for the body to digest and use. Whey protein is rich is glutamine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). These are considered essential amino acids for anyone who trains by providing an energy source to counteract muscle breakdown and support recovery. Whey protein can be used in several biochemical processes and is essential for muscle contraction, growth and repair. Whey protein is also used for maintaining several metabolic processes and for controlling body composition. Whey protein is rich in amino acids which can directly enhance endurance performance.

Whey Protein for Endurance Athletes

A high protein diet is usually associated with strength athletes. However, research suggests that endurance athletes require an equal intake of protein to strength athletes. Extreme endurance training puts increased demands on the body. Often more protein is therefore required to prevent the body from entering into a catabolic state. Following endurance exercise the immune system is badly affected, muscles begin to breakdown and injuries are more likely to occur. A fast-acting protein source such as whey protein is the perfect choice to kick-start the recovery process at this stage.

Whey Protein for Recovery from Endurance Training

Perhaps the most important time for athletes to take whey protein is immediately post-workout. This is because you’ve just put your muscles under a lot of stress and must now provide nutrients for repair and re-growth. A fast-acting whey protein based product, such as our Recovery Protein, is the perfect choice post endurance training. Feeding whey protein at this point will kick start protein synthesis, muscle growth and recovery process.

How Much Whey Protein do I need as an Endurance Athlete?

Olympic Nutritional guidelines suggest 1.7grams of protein per kg of bodyweight per day. That means a 75kg endurance athlete training every day should be consuming 127.5 grams of protein per day. This will ensure their nutritional needs, elevated by intense endurance training, are met. Whey protein is considered a highly cost effective way of getting sufficient protein.