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Effects of Carbohydrates Versus Carbohydrates + Protein on Resistance Training Outcomes

NCT07600138 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 25

Last updated 2026-05-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. This study investigated whether supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy, strength, and fatigue resistance in resistance-trained men.

Twenty resistance-trained men completed a quasi-randomized, double-blinded, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants consumed either a daily protein-only supplement (30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate) or a daily protein-plus-carbohydrate supplement (30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate) for 8 weeks each, followed by crossover, while continuing their habitual training and diet. Primary outcomes included lean mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle thickness and cross-sectional area (ultrasound), back squat one-repetition maximum, knee extensor peak torque, and fatigue index.

The carbohydrate-protein supplement produced significantly higher daily energy and carbohydrate intake compared to the protein-only supplement, with no differences in protein intake, fat intake, or training volume. No significant between-condition differences were observed for any outcome. These results suggest that modest increases in carbohydrate-energy intake outside of an energy deficit are unlikely to meaningfully enhance muscle hypertrophy, strength, or fatigue resistance in trained men.

Conditions

  • Muscle Hypertrophy
  • Strength

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

CHO

Daily consumption of a whey protein and maltodextrin mixture providing 30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 92 g serving for 8 weeks

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

PRO

Daily consumption of a whey protein blend providing 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 39 g serving for 8 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Auburn University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
40 Years
Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-05-12
Primary Completion
2025-09-15
Completion
2025-09-16

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07600138 on ClinicalTrials.gov