Whey protein: How does it affect the increase in muscle mass of untrained athletes post weight training?

Authors

  • Yendrizal Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
  • Angga Okta Pratama Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
  • Ronni Yenes Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
  • Roma Irawan Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
  • Riang Hari Ramadhan Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
  • Maidarman Maidarman Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.652671
Keywords: Weight Training, Whey Protein, Hypertrophy, Muscle Mass

Abstract

Weight training is a type of exercise that can provide many benefits for the body. Apart from exercise programs, the nutritional intake consumed also influences the success of building muscle through weight training. Protein is the main element that influences muscle growth and development after doing weight training. This experimental study used a pretest-posttest control group design to examine the effect of whey protein on muscle hypertrophy. It involved 60 male student athletes from Padang, Indonesia, aged 18-25 with a BMI of 25-29, physically healthy, and willing to follow research guidelines. The experimental group (n = 30) was given whey protein 30 minutes after weight training as much as ± 45 grams while the control group (n = 30) was only given mineral water after weight training. Muscle hypertrophy was measured using a measuring tape and skinfold calipers. Muscle circumference was calculated using the formula: MTC − (3.14 × TSF), where MTC is the muscle circumference and TSF is the triceps skinfold thickness. The results indicated that the group consuming whey protein experienced a significantly greater increase in muscle circumference compared to the control group (p<0.05). Based on research findings, planned and structured weight training combined with whey protein supplementation can maximize muscle hypertrophy compared to training without whey protein.

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Published
09-09-2025
How to Cite
Yendrizal, Pratama, A. O., Yenes, R., Irawan, R., Ramadhan, R. H., & Maidarman, M. (2025). Whey protein: How does it affect the increase in muscle mass of untrained athletes post weight training?. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 79. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.652671
Issue
Vol. 14 (2025)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.