Effect of protein supplements on cardiovascular health and exercise performance of young adult males

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The modern fitness culture, propelled by celebrity influence and media exposure, has led to widespread acceptance and consumption of protein supplements, particularly among young adult males aspiring for an ideal physique. Despite the surge in usage, limited research has explored the impact of these supplements on cardiovascular health and exercise performance. This study aims to bridge this gap by clinically examining the cardiovascular system using heart rate variability (HRV) and comparing outcomes between those using protein supplements and a control group. Methodology: This study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, AIIMS Raipur. The cross-sectional study involved 60 young adult males aged 18–25 years. Participants were divided into two groups: group I (n = 30), comprising individuals using commercially available protein supplements for a minimum of three months, and group II (n = 30) as age-matched controls. Cardiovascular assessments, including HRV analysis, were performed at rest and after the Harvard step test. Pre-exercise and post-exercise parameters were statistically analyzed, and participants in the test group provided information on supplement labels. Results: Participants in both groups exhibited comparable pre-exercise cardiovascular parameters. However, post-exercise results did not reveal significant variations in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, Standard deviation of the successive differences between adjacent NNs (SDNN), and standard deviation of successive differences (SDSD) between the test and control groups. The average exercise duration for the control group was longer than that of the test group. Amino acid profiles and nutritional content varied among 13 different protein supplement brands. Conclusion: The study found no statistically significant positive influence of protein supplements on cardiovascular health or exercise performance in young adult males.