Pea vs Whey Protein Supplementation With Resistance Training on Young Adults' Strength, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters

NCT07420933 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PProtRCT-FY2019-182
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the impact of pea protein or whey protein supplementation during a progressive resistance exercise (PRE) regimen on body composition and strength in young adults who are not undergoing regular strength training. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Consume Pea or Whey protein supplement twice daily for 8 weeks
• Participate in a PRE training program twice weekly for approximately 1.5 hours per day

Conditions

Healthy Subjects

Keywords

pea protein isolate; whey protein isolate; progressive resistance exercise; body composition; strength; essential amino acid

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Difference in body composition

  Differences in lean mass (kg, kg/m\^2, and % total mass) and fat mass (kg, and % total mass) assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA; Horizon W, Hologic, Marlborough, MA)

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Difference in muscle strength

  Differences in muscle strength assessed by maximal isometric force produced by quadriceps (Nm) using a Biodex System 3 dynamometer, hand grip (kg) using a handgrip dynamometer, 1-Rep Max for chest press (kg), and 1-Rep Max for leg press (kg)

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Nutritional Metabolic Biomarkers

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Other Outcomes (3)

• Resting Metabolic Rate

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Blood Pressure

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Weight status

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Pea Protein

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will consume pea protein isolate (24g/sachet) twice daily for 8 weeks while participating in an 8-week PRE program (2, 1.5hr sessions per week)

Dietary Supplement: Protein Isolate; Behavioral: Progressive Resistance Exercise Training (PRE)

Whey Protein

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will consume whey protein isolate (24g/sachet) twice daily for 8 weeks while participating in an 8-week PRE program (2, 1.5hr sessions per week)

Dietary Supplement: Protein Isolate; Behavioral: Progressive Resistance Exercise Training (PRE)

Interventions

Protein Isolate DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants in this arm will consume protein isolate (24g/sachet) twice daily for 8 weeks.

Pea Protein; Whey Protein

Progressive Resistance Exercise Training (PRE) BEHAVIORAL

Based on the resistance training guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine, each subject will attend two supervised resistance training sessions weekly for a duration of 8 weeks. A minimum two day rest between PRE sessions will be required. Twelve exercises that targets each major muscle group will be conducted at each exercise session in the order listed below: 1. Seated chest press 2. Lat pulldown 3. Military Press 4. Seated row 5. Bicep Curl 6. Triceps Extension 7. Leg Press 8. Leg extension 9. Leg Curl 10. Heel Raise 11. Abdominal curls 12. Back extension At the first exercise session, each subject's 1-RM will be estimated for the exercises listed above

Pea Protein; Whey Protein

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy Adults 18-30y
• BMI between 18.5 - 28 kg/m\*\*2
• The subjects will be excluded if:
• they have a history or current diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, or metabolic disorders.
• they use tobacco products
• consume alcohol as defined as \>2 drinks per day,
• follow a special diet
• reported recent significant body weight changes (\>5% prior 3 months)
• report an intolerance or allergy to ingredients in the supplements.
• report regular consumption of other muscle or metabolic stimulating products or drugs such as creatine, other amino acids or protein supplements, growth hormone or derivatives, or ergogenic aids including steroids.
• if they answer "no" to any question on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire which would indicate that the subject cannot safely participate in an exercise program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Texas Woman's University: lead
• Ingredion Incorporated: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Texas Woman's University Institute of Health Sciences Houston Center

Houston, Texas, 77008, United States

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 19, 2025
• First Posted: February 19, 2026
• Study Start: February 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 6, 2025
• Study Completion: December 6, 2025
• Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)