Protein?

[chris414]

Hey

 

Lots of people from other sports use protein to build strength, etc but i rarely hear about its use in cycling... Does using protein supplements improve cycling performance or does it just create bulk that ends up weighing you down?  How long do you have to use protein before you start to see improvements (if any?) assuming that you are still following a regular training plan? 

 

Chris

[BikeMax]

 

Hey

 

Lots of people from other sports use protein to build strength' date=' etc but i rarely hear about its use in cycling... Does using protein supplements improve cycling performance or does it just create bulk that ends up weighing you down?  How long do you have to use protein before you start to see improvements (if any?) assuming that you are still following a regular training plan? 

 

Chris

[/quote']

 

Protein has been shown to have some benefits in terms of post race recovery but is not necessary to build strength (see lots of other posts in this)

 

[bruce]

Protein doesn't build strength on it's own - the break down and subsequent buildup of muscle through exercise builds strength.  This process uses protein to repair damaged muscle tissue.

[chris414]

So is it better to take daily supplements or just after hard training sessions to aid recovery?

[BikeMax]

 

So is it better to take daily supplements or just after hard training sessions to aid recovery?

 

If you have a balanced diet then you should be fine day to day - just supplement in a decent recovery drink in the 30 mins after a race (Power Bar or Glco Pro do good ready made drinks)