Can protein timing fix Sleep-Deprived muscles?
NCT ID NCT06073080
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether spreading protein intake evenly throughout the day helps muscles recover better after several days of limited sleep. Twenty healthy adults underwent a week of good sleep, four days of restricted sleep, and three days of recovery with either even or uneven protein distribution. Researchers measured muscle building and overall protein balance to see which approach worked best.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dietary protein nutrition distribution
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could inform better nutrition strategies to help people recover muscle health after periods of poor sleep.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 20 healthy adults, so results may not apply to the general population or those with medical conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Nov 2024
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 39 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 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) Exclusion Criteria: * 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
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Natick, Massachusetts, 01760, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.