Multi-modal exercise training and protein -pacing enhances physical performance adaptations independent of growth hormone and BDNF but may be dependent on IGF-1 in exercise-trained men

Objective: Protein-pacing (P; 5-6 meals/day @ 2.0 g/kg BW/day) and multi-mode exercise (RISE; resistance, interval, stretching, endurance) training (PRISE) improves muscular endurance, strength, power and arterial health in exercise-trained women. The current study extends these findings by examining PRISE on fitness, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) response, cardiometabolic health, and body composition in exercise-trained men. Design: Twenty active males (> 4 days exercise/week) completed either: PRISE (n = 11) or RISE (5-6 meals/day @ 1.0 g/kg BW/day; n = 9) for 12 weeks. Muscular strength (1-repetition maximum bench and leg press, 1-RM BP, and 1-RM LP), endurance (sit-ups, SU; push-ups, PU), power (squat jump, SJ, and bench throw, BT), flexibility (sit-and-reach, SR), aerobic performance (5 km cycling time-trial, IT), GH, IGF-1, BDNF, augmentation index, (AIx), and body composition, were assessed at weeks 0 (pre) and 13 (post). Results: At baseline, no differences existed between groups except for GH (RISE, 230 +/- 13 vs. PRISE, 382 +/- 59 pg/ml, p < 0.05). The exercise intervention improved 1-RM, SJ, BT, PU, SU, SR, 5 km-TT, GH, Alx, BP, and body composition in both groups (time, p < 0.05). However, PRISE elicited greater improvements in 1-RM BP (21 vs. 10 Delta lbs), SJ (171 vs. 13 Delta W), 5 km-TT (-37 vs. 11 As), and sit-and-reach (5.3 vs. 12 Delta cm) over RISE alone (p < 0.05) including increased IGF-1 (12%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Exercise-trained men consuming a P diet combined with multi-component exercise training (PRISE) enhance muscular power, strength, aerobic performance, and flexibility which are not likely related to GH or BDNF but possibly to IGF-1 response. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.