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Nutrition Strategy and Resistance Training

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Prof. Dr. Jungjun Park

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Department of Sport Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Interests: exercise physiology; nutrition; lifestyle intervention; metabolism; physical fitness assessment; supplements; muscles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Resistance training is essential for athletic performance and overall health, promoting muscle hypertrophy, strength development, and metabolic adaptations. Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting these adaptations by regulating muscle protein synthesis, recovery, and exercise performance. Proper nutritional strategies—including macronutrient intake, supplementation, and meal timing—can enhance the effects of resistance training, while inadequate nutrition may limit progress and impair recovery.

Despite extensive research on the relationship between resistance training and nutrition, several critical aspects remain underexplored. Questions persist regarding optimal protein intake, the efficacy of various supplements, and the influence of specific dietary patterns on resistance training outcomes across diverse populations. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that individualized nutritional strategies may be necessary to maximize training benefits.

This Special Issue, “Nutrition Strategy and Resistance Training”, aims to advance our understanding of the interplay between nutrition and resistance training. We invite submissions of original research, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses exploring dietary strategies, supplementation, and their effects on resistance training adaptations. By gathering cutting-edge research, this issue seeks to contribute to evidence-based recommendations that optimize resistance training outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Jungjun Park
Guest Editor

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21 pages, 1657 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effect of Plant-Based Proteins on Recovery from Resistance Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Healthy Young Adults—A Systematic Review

by Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Koulla Parpa, Borko Katanic, Cain C. T. Clark, Masilamani Elayaraja, Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil, Corina Dulceanu, Vlad Adrian Geantă, Gloria Alexandra Tolan and Hassane Zouhal

Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2571; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152571 - 7 Aug 2025

Viewed by 619

Abstract

Background: Plant-based protein supplementation in supporting muscle recovery following resistance exercise remains an area of growing interest, particularly among vegan athletes, as a potential alternative to animal-based proteins. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plant-based proteins on recovery from resistance exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy young adults. Methods: A systematic and comprehensive search was administered in eight databases up to 1 May 2025, identifying 1407 articles. Following deduplication and screening, 24 studies met the eligibility criteria, including 22 randomized controlled trials and 2 non-randomized studies, with the majority from high income western countries. Results: Interventions primarily involved soy, pea, rice, hemp, potato, and blended plant protein sources, with doses ranging from 15 to 50 g, typically administered post resistance exercise. Outcomes assessed included muscle protein synthesis (MPS), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), inflammatory biomarkers, muscle function, and fatigue. The review findings reaffirm that single-source plant proteins generally offer limited benefits compared to animal proteins such as whey, particularly in acute recovery settings, a limitation well-documented consistently in the literature. However, our synthesis highlights that well-formulated plant protein blends (e.g., combinations of pea, rice, and canola) can stimulate MPS at levels comparable to whey when consumed at adequate doses (≥30 g with ~2.5 g leucine). Some studies also reported improvements in subjective recovery outcomes and reductions in muscle damage biomarkers with soy or pea protein. However, overall evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, moderate to high risk of bias, and heterogeneity in intervention protocols, protein formulations, and outcome measures. Risk of bias assessments revealed concerns related to detection and reporting bias in nearly half the studies. Due to clinical and methodological variability, a meta-analysis was not conducted. Conclusion: plant-based proteins particularly in the form of protein blends and when dosed appropriately, may support muscle recovery in resistance-trained individuals and offer a viable alternative to animal-based proteins. However, further high-quality, long-term trials in vegan populations are needed to establish definitive recommendations for plant protein use in sports nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Strategy and Resistance Training)

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