Compare the protein needs of endurance and strength athletes

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Protein Used in Muscle Building: Synthesis of body proteins is suppressed during activity. In the hours of recovery following activity, though, protein synthesis accelerates beyond normal resting levels. Eating high-carbohydrate foods immediately after exercise accelerates muscle glycogen storage. Similarly, research shows that eating high-quality protein, either by itself or together with carbohydrate, enhances muscle protein synthesis. With food intake, of course, insulin is secreted. Insulin not only stimulates muscle protein synthesis, but also greatly inhibits muscle protein breakdown. Remember that the body adapts and builds the molecules, cells, and tissues it needs for the next period of activity. Whenever the body remodels a part of itself, it tears down old structures to make way for new ones. Repeated activity, with just a slight overload, triggers the protein-dismantling and protein-synthesizing equipment of each muscle cell to make needed changes—that is, to adapt.

Protein Used as Fuel: Not only do athletes retain more protein in their muscles, but they also use more protein as fuel. Muscles speed up their use of amino acids for energy during physical activity, just as they speed up their use of fat and carbohydrate. Still, protein contributes only about 10 percent of the total fuel used, both during activity and during rest. The most active people of all—endurance athletes—use large amounts of all energy fuels, including protein, during performance, but they also eat more food and therefore usually consume enough protein.