@article{2987248,
    title = "The importance of protein intake in master marathon runners",
    author = "Methenitis, S. and Mouratidis, A. and Manga, K. and Chalari, E. and Feidantss, K. and Arnaoutis, G. and Arailoudi-Alexiadou, X. and Skepastianos, P. and Hatzitolios, A. and Mourouglakis, A. and Kaprara, A. and Hassapidou, M. and Papadopoulou, S.K.",
    journal = "Frontiers in Nutrition",
    year = "2021",
    volume = "86",
    publisher = "ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC 360 PARK AVE SOUTH, NEW YORK, NY 10010-1710 USA",
    doi = "10.1016/j.nut.2021.111154",
    keywords = "alanine aminotransferase;  albumin;  alkaline phosphatase;  aspartate aminotransferase;  biological marker;  C reactive protein;  cholesterol;  creatine kinase;  creatinine;  gamma glutamyltransferase;  lactate dehydrogenase;  potassium;  sodium;  triacylglycerol;  uric acid, adult;  Article;  blood level;  body composition;  body fat;  body mass;  caloric intake;  carbohydrate intake;  correlational study;  energy expenditure;  human;  lean body weight;  leukocyte count;  male;  marathon runner;  metabolism;  middle aged;  muscle injury;  nutritional status;  physical performance;  platelet count;  priority journal;  protein intake;  resting metabolic rate;  eating;  marathon runner;  running, Body Composition;  Eating;  Energy Intake;  Marathon Running;  Running",
    abstract = "Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between protein intake (during the tapering period and the race), marathon performance, body composition, acute race-induced changes, and selected metabolic– and muscle damage–related blood biomarkers in recreational master runners. Methods: In 58 experienced master runners (58.28 y ± 1.07 y, 174.06 cm ± 0.72 cm, 78.51 kg ± 0.76 kg body mass, 21.38% ± 0.52% body fat, mean ± SEM), nutritional intake was evaluated 1 wk before the race and during the marathon. Body composition was evaluated before and 2 h after the race. Blood samples were collected at the same time points. Results: Body fat and lean body mass (LBM) were significantly reduced after the marathon (P < 0.01; η2: 0.311–0.888). Significant negative correlations were observed between energy intake from carbohydrates and proteins (expressed per LBM), marathon performance, and race-induced changes of blood metabolic-muscle damage indices (P < 0.05; r: –0.522 to –0.789). Positive correlations were observed between energy from carbohydrates and proteins per LBM, and body mass and LBM changes (P < 0.05; r: 0.485–0.814). The specific contribution of protein intakes per LBM (beta coefficient: –0.789 to 0.615) on race-induced changes of body composition and blood markers was the same as that of carbohydrate intakes per LBM (beta coefficient: –0.777 to 0.559). Conclusions: Marathon-induced changes in body composition and metabolic blood indices are highly related to protein intake, either during the tapering period or during the race, with runners experiencing the lowest changes when consuming higher protein intakes. © 2021 Elsevier Inc."
}