Table 6. The main results of the studies that examined the effects of protein supplementation on recovery kinetics in team sports. Study Type of exercise test Supplementation Muscle damage markers Inflammatory markers /oxidative markers Muscle soreness Performance markers Arent et al., 2010 Graded maximal treadmill test to exhaustion Resurgex Plus® vs isocaloric placebo Resurgex < PLA: ↑ CK Resurgex < PLA: ↑ 8-isoprostane & LPO ------ Resurgex = PLA VO2max, VLT & time-to-exhaustion Betts et al., 2009 90 min of high-intensity intermittent shuttle-running CHO vs CHO+PRO CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ CK CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ Myoglobin CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ LDH CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ IL-6 CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ IL-10 CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ IL-1 receptor antagonist CHO + WP = CHO: ↑ CRP CHO+WP = CHO CHO + WP = CHO: Peak isometric force Cockburn et al., 2013 Unilateral knee flexions (6 sets x 10 reps, 1.05 rad/s-1, 90-s rest) on isokinetic dynamometer Semi-skimmed milk vs water SSM = Water: CK SSM = Water: Myoglobin ------ SSM = Water SSM = Water: CM jump height SSM = Water: Reactive strength SSM < Water (tendency): ↑10-m & 15-m sprint time Gentle et al., 2014 87-min basketball game stimulation test CHO meal vs CHO+PRO meal CHO+PRO < CHO: ↑ CK ------ CHO+PRO =CHO CHO+PRO > CHO: Free throw success CHO+PRO < CHO (tendency): Mean sprint time CHO+PRO = CHO: Jump height Gilson et al., 2010 4-day soccer training period, with increased training duration CHO vs Low-fat chocolate milk LCM = CHO : Myoglobin, LCM < CHO: ↑ CK (at 4d) ------ LCM = CHO LCM = CHO T-drill, Vertical jump, isometric quadriceps force (MVC) & fatigue ratings Gunnarsson et al., 2013 A competitive soccer match Normal diet vs high carbohydrate-high protein diet WP + CHO > NDiet: ↑ CK (at 24h) WP + CHO < NDiet: ↑ Myoglobin ------ ------ ------ Highton et al., 2013 Modified LIST CHO vs CHO+PRO ------ ------ ------ WP + CHO = CHO: Distance covered WP + CHO = CHO: Maximal speed WP + CHO < CHO: ↑ Average speed Naclerio et al., 2014 90-min Intermittent repeated sprint test PLA vs CHO vs CHO+PRO multi-ingredient WPCM < CHO & PL: ↑ CK (at 24h) WPCM (tendency) & CHO < PL: ↑ myoglobin (at 1h) WPCM = CHO = PL: ↑ IL-6 ------ WPCM = CHO = PL: Total sprint time WPCM = CHO = PL: 15-m sprint time Naclerio et al., 2015 90-min IRS test PLA vs CHO vs CHO+PRO multi-ingredient WPCM = CHO = PL: ↑ CK (at 24h) WPCM & CHO < PL: ↑ myoglobin (at 1h) WPCM = CHO = PL: ↑ IL-6 CHO < WPCM & PL: ↑ Neutrophil CHO < WPCM & PL: ↑ Monocyte WPCM = CHO = PL: Lymphocytes ------ WPCM = CHO = PL: Total sprint time WPCM = CHO = PL: Time IRS+15-m sprint WPCM < CHO & PL: Perception of fatigue Poulios et al., 2018 Two-trial (2 weeks), 2 soccer matches & 4 practices/week Milk Protein Smooth (PRO) vs isoenergetic placebo (maltodextrin) PRO=PL: ↑ CK PRO=PLA: ↑WBC(Post G1-Post G2) PRO=PL: ↑Granulocyte (Post G1-Post G2) PRO=PL: ↑TBARS (G1-D2,G2-D1), PL: ↑TBARS(G1-D1, G1-D3,G2-D2), PRO=PL: ↑PC(G1-D1, G1-D2, G1-D3, G2-D1), PL: ↑PC(G2-D3) PRO=PL ↓GSH(G1-D1, G1-D2, G1-D3), PRO>PL :↑GSH(G2-D1), PRO=PL: ↑TAC PRO=PL: ↑DOMS (G1-D1, G1-D2, G1-D3, G2-D1, G2-D2, G2-D3) PRO=PL: ↑10-m sprint, ↑30-m sprint(G1-D1, G1-D2, G1-D3, G2-D1, G2-D2, G2-D3), PRO=PLA:↓CMJ(G1-D1, G1-D2, G1-D3, G2-D1, G2-D2, G2-D3) PRO<PL: ↓KF eccentric strength(4h post G2), PRO<PL: ↓KE concentric strength, PRO<PL: ↓High-intensity running(G2 75–90 min vs. 0–15 min), PL: ↓HR, ↓TD PL, placebo; LPO, lipid hydroperoxides; VO2max, maximal oxygen consumption; VLT, velocity at lactate threshold; CHO, carbohydrates; PRO, protein; WP, whey protein; CK, creatine kinase activity; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase activity; IL, interleukin; CRP, C reactive protein; s, seconds; d, days; SSM, semi-skimmed milk; LCM, low-fat chocolate milk; CM, counter-movement; MVC, maximal voluntary contraction; NDiet, normal diet; ↑, increase; WPCM, whey protein carbohydrate multi-ingredient supplement; IRS, intermittent repeated sprint, G, Game; WBC, White blood cells; TBARS, thiobarbituric acid; PC, Protein carbonyls; GSH: Glutathione; KF, Knee Flexors; KE, Knee Extensors; TD, Total Distance.