Recovery Protein Nutrition as a Countermeasure for Anabolic Resistance Following Sleep Loss

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Sleep, Inadequate

In brief

The current study will determine protein nutritional status (MPS and WBPB) in response to military-relevant sleep loss, and whether an even protein nutrition distribution during recovery optimally supports MPS and WBPB. Adults (n=20) will complete a 7d sleep satiated phase (\~7-9h target/d), a 4d military-relevant sleep restriction phase (\~4h /d), and a 3d recovery phase (\~7-9h target/d) in a randomized, parallel design. During recovery, volunteers will consume 1.6 g protein/kg/d as an even (\~0.4/0.4/0.4/0.4 g/kg) or skewed (\~0.11/0.27/1.15/0.07 g/kg) distribution. Sleep will be monitored throughout the study using wrist actigraphy and diaries. During each phase, integrated daily MPS will be estimated using ingested deuterium oxide, salivary and blood sampling, and muscle biopsies, while WBPB will be estimated using ingested 15-N alanine and urine collections. At the end of each phase, metabolic testing will be used to assess the effects of sleep loss on substrate utilization and include consuming a carbohydrate beverage, serial blood draws, indirect calorimetry, and steady-state aerobic exercise. The knowledge products derived from the proposed effort will be informative to next generation ration development and support military-specific recovery nutrition guidance following operations involving sleep loss.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06073080
Run by: United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
People needed: 20
Starts: 2024-03-21
Expected to finish: 2024-11-04
Last updated by the study team: 2026-01-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 39. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Adults aged 18 - 39 years
Body mass index < 30.0 kg/m2
Self-report weight stable for the past 2 months (± \~3 kg)
Healthy without evidence of chronic illness, musculoskeletal injury, or diagnosed sleep disorder (i.e., insomnia) as determined by the USARIEM Office of Medical Support and Oversight (OMSO) or home duty station medical support
Self-report participates in aerobic and/or resistance exercise, on average, ≥2 days per week for previous 6 months
Willing to refrain from alcohol, smoking/using any nicotine product (includes e-cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco), caffeine, and dietary supplements during the intervention periods of the study
Supervisor approval for federal civilian employees and non-HRV active duty military personnel
Biological females must have normal menstrual cycles between 26-32 days in duration; 5 menstrual cycles within the past 6 months; or able to provide self-report documentation of sustained (i.e., \~ >3 months) oral/hormonal contraceptive use which contains low-dose estrogen/progesterone to maintain continuous hormonal levels (i.e., IUD or no oral placebos)

You may not qualify if…

Metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., abnormal blood clotting, kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anemia etc.) as determined by OMSO or home duty station medical support
History of complications with lidocaine (or similar local anesthetic)
Present condition of substance abuse (e.g., alcoholism, anabolic steroid use etc.) as self-report or determined by OMSO or home duty station medical support
Cumulative blood donation of greater than 550mL within 8-wk of beginning scheduled study blood collection
Cumulative blood donation of greater than 550mL within 8-wk after completing scheduled study blood collection
Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, and/or breastfeeding (results of urine pregnancy test prior to body composition scans and self-report for breastfeeding)
Unwilling or unable to consume study diets or foods provided due to personal preference, dietary restrictions, and/or food allergies
Unwilling or unable to adhere to study physical restrictions or sleep prescriptions

Where it is running

US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine — Natick, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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