Pacing Protein And Plant-based Protein: Predictors Of Improved Body Composition In Division Iii Female Athletes

William F. Hoerle, Marissa L. Frenett, Margaret McQueston, Christopher J. Kotarsky. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY Athletes require greater dietary protein (1.2-2.0 g/kg/d) for the repair and maintenance of skeletal muscle tissue. By pacing protein (PP), either as an absolute intake of 20-40 g/meal (APP) or relative intake of 0.25-0.55 g/kg/meal (RPP), athletes can maximize muscle protein synthesis and improve body composition, leading to better performance and health. Dietary protein source, animal- (ABP) and plant-based (PBP), has also been linked to health. PBP has been shown to reduce disease risk, whereas ABP, specifically red and processed meat, may increase risk. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of dietary intake, protein source (ABP & PBP), and PP (APP & RPP) with body composition in Division III offseason female athletes. METHODS: Body composition was assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intakes were estimated with 3-day dietary logs and EHSA software. Daily protein intake was divided into 3 mealtime periods: morning (before 11:30), afternoon (11:30-16:00), and evening (after 16:00). RPP was set at ≥0.4 g/kg per period and APP at ≥30 g per period. Achieving RPP or APP at one of these periods was recorded as “1”, and these were summed to create 2 ordinal variables, each with 4 levels, APP or RPP at 0, 1, 2, or 3 periods. Stepwise linear regression examined the relationship. Age (yr), body mass (kg), ABP (g/d), PBP (g/d), RPP (periods), APP (periods), and energy (kcal/d), carbohydrate (g/d), fat (g/d), and protein (g/d) intake were included in the regression. RESULTS: 13 females (mean ± SD; age 19.7 ± 1.4; height 169.3 ± 5.5; body mass 66.4 ± 8.3) were included in the analysis. Body composition was first predicted by RPP and then by PBP (F1,10 = 14.208, R2 = 0.740, adjusted R2 = 0.688, p ≤ 0.001). For each period an athlete achieved RPP and for every 1 g of PBP intake, body composition decreased by 3.830% and 0.212%, respectively. CONCLUSION: RPP and PBP were associated with better body composition in Division III female athletes, while ABP was unrelated. Support provided by the Skidmore College Faculty Development Grant Skidmore Faculty Development Grant