Impact of cow’s milk intake on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function: a systematic review

Alcantara, Juan M. A.; Sanchez-Delgado, Guillermo; Martinez-Tellez, Borja; Labayen, Idoia; Ruiz, Jonatan R.

doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0288-5

Cited by 47Muscle metabolism and nutritionExercise and Physiological ResponsesSports Performance and Training

Impact of cow’s milk intake on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function: a systematic review

Open access

Alcantara, Juan M. A., Sanchez-Delgado, Guillermo, Martinez-Tellez, Borja, Labayen, Idoia, Ruiz, Jonatan R.·2019·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

DOI 10.1186/s12970-019-0288-5PMC PMC6503439

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

Abstract

Dairy products are thought to improve recovery after both resistance and endurance exercises due to their nutritional proprieties. We systematically reviewed the effects of dairy product intake on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function in humans. A literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science databases from their inception to 15th April 2018. The initial search retrieved 7708 articles, and a total of 11 studies were finally included after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the selected studies were conducted with cow's milk. Whereas some studies found significant positive effect of cow's milk on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function, others did not find any effect. These controversies could be due to the heterogeneity of cow's milk ingestion (e.g., amount of cow's milk, timing of consuming the cow's milk), to the type of intervention, and to the large heterogeneity of outcomes measured. Limited studies exist examining the effects of cow's milk consumption and its influence on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function, therefore further studies are needed to draw more definitive conclusions.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/s12970-019-0288-5

Cites

46 of 46 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Pomegranate, cow's milk, or chocolate milk might potentially improve exercise performance and post-exercise recovery.
“Finally, it has been recently reviewed systematically if other foods, such as Pomegranate [137], cow’s milk [138], or Chocolate milk [139], might potentially improve exercise-performance and post-exercise recovery but further research is needed to extract definitive conclusions.”
From The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates (2020) · cites this paper as [138]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823 · see citing works
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement.
(2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 44,859 · see citing works
Bovine milk in human nutrition – a review
Haug, A., Høstmark, A. T., & Harstad, O. M. (2007) · Lipids in Health and Disease · doi:10.1186/1476-511x-6-25 · Cited by 1,186 · see citing works
Ingested protein dose response of muscle and albumin protein synthesis after resistance exercise in young men
Moore, D. R., Robinson, M. J., Fry, J. L., Tang, J. E., Glover, E. I., Wilkinson, S. B., Prior, T., Tarnopolsky, M. A., & Phillips, S. M. (2009) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.26401 · Cited by 973 · see citing works
Muscle function after exercise-induced muscle damage and rapid adaptation
CLARKSON, P. M., NOSAKA, K., & BRAUN, B. (1992) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-199205000-00004 · Cited by 970 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For example, a bout of unaccustomed exercise, especially that including eccentric muscle contractions such as downhill running, can damage contractile proteins, impair muscle function, and induce muscle soreness [11, 12].”
Background
Biochemical markers of muscular damage
Brancaccio, P., Lippi, G., & Maffulli, N. (2010) · Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) · doi:10.1515/cclm.2010.179 · Cited by 844 · see citing works
Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 5.1.0 [updated March 2011]. The Cochrane Collaboration
Higgins, J. (2011) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 816 · see citing works
Increased rates of muscle protein turnover and amino acid transport after resistance exercise in humans
Biolo, G., Maggi, S. P., Williams, B. D., Tipton, K. D., & Wolfe, R. R. (1995) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1995.268.3.e514 · Cited by 713 · see citing works
An oral essential amino acid-carbohydrate supplement enhances muscle protein anabolism after resistance exercise
Rasmussen, B. B., Tipton, K. D., Miller, S. L., Wolf, S. E., & Wolfe, R. R. (2000) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.2000.88.2.386 · Cited by 523 · see citing works
Protein - Which is Best?
Hoffman, J. R., & Falvo, M. J. (2004) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 519 · see citing works
Myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis rates subsequent to a meal in response to increasing doses of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise
Witard, O. C., Jackman, S. R., Breen, L., Smith, K., Selby, A., & Tipton, K. D. (2014) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.055517 · Cited by 517 · see citing works
Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis
Areta, J. L., Burke, L. M., Ross, M. L., Camera, D. M., West, D. W. D., Broad, E. M., Jeacocke, N. A., Moore, D. R., Stellingwerff, T., Phillips, S. M., et al. (2013) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2012.244897 · Cited by 495 · see citing works
Resistance exercise enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis with graded intakes of whey protein in older men
Yang, Y., Breen, L., Burd, N. A., Hector, A. J., Churchward-Venne, T. A., Josse, A. R., Tarnopolsky, M. A., & Phillips, S. M. (2012) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114511007422 · Cited by 480 · see citing works
Initial events in exercise-induced muscular injury
BEN KIBLER, C. W., & ARMSTRONG, R. B. (1990) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-199008000-00002 · Cited by 457 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Muscle membrane damage following exercise occurs as a result of mechanical stress during the first phase of muscular damage, with further disruption via the lysosomal pathway during the next phase [43].”
Background
Distinct anabolic signalling responses to amino acids in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells
Atherton, P. J., Smith, K., Etheridge, T., Rankin, D., & Rennie, M. J. (2010) · Amino Acids · doi:10.1007/s00726-009-0377-x · Cited by 323 · see citing works
Combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases postexercise muscle protein synthesis in vivo in male subjects
Koopman, R., Wagenmakers, A. J. M., MANDERS, R. J. F., Zorenc, A. H. G., Senden, J. M., Gorselink, M., KEIZER, H. A., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2004) · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00413.2004 · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Exercising before protein intake allows for greater use of dietary protein–derived amino acids for de novo muscle protein synthesis in both young and elderly men
Pennings, B., Koopman, R., Beelen, M., Senden, J. M., Saris, W. H., & van Loon, L. J. (2011) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.29649 · Cited by 311 · see citing works
Postprandial Kinetics of Dietary Amino Acids Are the Main Determinant of Their Metabolism after Soy or Milk Protein Ingestion in Humans
Bos, C., Gaudichon, C., Pueyo, M. E., Morens, C., Tomé, D., Metges, C. C., Petzke, K. J., Everwand, J., & Benamouzig, R. (2003) · The Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1093/jn/133.5.1308 · Cited by 309 · see citing works
Independent and Combined Effects of Amino Acids and Glucose after Resistance Exercise
MILLER, S. L., TIPTON, K. D., CHINKES, D. L., WOLF, S. E., & WOLFE, R. R. (2003) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000053910.63105.45 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
A Brief Review of Strength and Ballistic Assessment Methodologies in Sport
McMaster, D. T., Gill, N., Cronin, J. B., & McGuigan, M. R. (2014) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-014-0145-2 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
The Role of Milk- and Soy-Based Protein in Support of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Muscle Protein Accretion in Young and Elderly Persons
Phillips, S. M., Tang, J. E., & Moore, D. R. (2009) · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · doi:10.1080/07315724.2009.10718096 · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Milk ingestion stimulates net muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise
ELLIOT, T. A., CREE, M. G., SANFORD, A. P., WOLFE, R. R., & TIPTON, K. D. (2006) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000210190.64458.25 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Does Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Play a Role in Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy?
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2012) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e31824f207e · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Effect of carbohydrate intake on net muscle protein synthesis during recovery from resistance exercise
Børsheim, E., Cree‐Green, M., Tipton, K. D., Elliott, T. A., Aarsland, A. A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2004) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00333.2003 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Time course of recovery and heat acclimation ability of prior exertional heatstroke patients
Armstrong, L. E., Luca, J. P. D., & Hubbard, R. W. (1990) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-199002000-00007 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Coingestion of protein with carbohydrate during recovery from endurance exercise stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis in humans
Howarth, K. R., Moreau, N. A., Phillips, S. M., & Gibala, M. J. (2009) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.90333.2008 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Effects of Protein Supplements on Muscle Damage, Soreness and Recovery of Muscle Function and Physical Performance: A Systematic Review
Pasiakos, S. M., Lieberman, H. R., & McLellan, T. M. (2014) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0137-7 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Postexercise protein intake enhances whole-body and leg protein accretion in humans
Levenhagen, D. K., CARR, C., Carlson, M. G., Maron, D. J., Borel, M. J., & Flakoll, P. J. (2002) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1097/00005768-200205000-00016 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Acute milk-based protein–CHO supplementation attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage
Cockburn, E., Hayes, P. R., French, D. N., Stevenson, E., & Gibson, A. S. C. (2008) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/h08-057 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Milk: The new sports drink? A Review
Roy, B. D. (2008) · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-15 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
A comparison of the effects of milk and a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on the restoration of fluid balance and exercise capacity in a hot, humid environment
Watson, P., Love, T. D., Maughan, R. J., & Shirreffs, S. M. (2008) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-008-0809-4 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Testing Strength and Power in Soccer Players
Paul, D. J., & Nassis, G. P. (2015) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000000807 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Dietary strategies to recover from exercise-induced muscle damage
Sousa, M., Teixeira, V. H., & Soares, J. M. (2013) · International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition · doi:10.3109/09637486.2013.849662 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Increasing fluid milk favorably affects bone mineral density responses to resistance training in adolescent boys
Volek, J. S., Gómez, A. L., Scheett, T. P., Sharman, M. J., French, D. N., Rubin, M. R., Ratamess, N. A., McGuigan, M. M., & Kraemer, W. J. (2003) · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(03)01073-3 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Free Amino Acid Pool and Muscle Protein Balance after Resistance Exercise
NEN, H. T. P., NEN, T. N., KNUUTINEN, J., Lahti, K., NEN, O. K., Alén, M., Komi, P. V., & Mero, A. A. (2003) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000064934.51751.f9 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Effect of Milk on Team Sport Performance after Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
Cockburn, E., Bell, P. G., & Stevenson, E. (2013) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31828b7dd0 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Effect of volume of milk consumed on the attenuation of exercise-induced muscle damage
Cockburn, E., Robson-Ansley, P. J., Hayes, P. R., & Stevenson, E. (2012) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-011-2288-2 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
The effect of milk on the attenuation of exercise-induced muscle damage in males and females
Rankin, P., Stevenson, E., & Cockburn, E. (2015) · European Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00421-015-3121-0 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Effects of milk ingestion on prolonged exercise capacity in young, healthy men
LEE, J. K. W., Maughan, R. J., Shirreffs, S. M., & Watson, P. (2008) · Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.nut.2008.01.001 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Dairy Products, Meat and Sports Performance
Fogelholm, M. (2003) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.2165/00007256-200333080-00006 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
A2 Milk Enhances Dynamic Muscle Function Following Repeated Sprint Exercise, a Possible Ergogenic Aid for A1-Protein Intolerant Athletes?
Kirk, B., Mitchell, J., Jackson, M. J., Amirabdollahian, F., Alizadehkhaiyat, O., & Clifford, T. (2017) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu9020094 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Cycling Time Trial Performance 4 Hours After Glycogen-Lowering Exercise Is Similarly Enhanced by Recovery Nondairy Chocolate Beverages Versus Chocolate Milk
Upshaw, A. U., Wong, T. S., Bandegan, A., & Lemon, P. W. R. (2015) · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0056 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Milk: An Effective Recovery Drink for Female Athletes
Rankin, P., Landy, A., Stevenson, E., & Cockburn, E. (2018) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu10020228 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
The effect of milk on recovery from repeat-sprint cycling in female team-sport athletes
Rankin, P., Lawlor, M. J., Hills, F. A., Bell, P. G., Stevenson, E., & Cockburn, E. (2017) · Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · doi:10.1139/apnm-2017-0275 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Protein ingestion after endurance exercise: the ‘evolving’ needs of the mitochondria?
Moore, D. R., & Stellingwerff, T. (2012) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2011.224188 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Protein for Sports-New Data and New Recommendations
Ziegenfuss, T. N., Landis, J. A., & Lemieux, R. (2010) · Strength and conditioning journal · doi:10.1519/ssc.0b013e3181c16f83 · Cited by 8 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

[22]National Library of Medicine. Medical Subject Headings. MeSH Descriptor Data. 2018 [cited 2018 June 12]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/?term=dairy+product

Sorted by citations

The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates
Bonilla, D. A., Pérez-Idárraga, A., Odriozola-Martínez, A., & Kreider, R. B. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18010103 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Fenugreek and Its Effects on Muscle Performance: A Systematic Review
Albaker, W. I. (2023) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm13030427 · Cited by 29 · see citing works

Authors: Alcantara, J. M. A., Sanchez-Delgado, G., Martinez-Tellez, B., Labayen, I., & Ruiz, J. R.
Affiliations: PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity” research group Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport SciencesUniversity of Granada Ctra. de Alfacar s/n C.P 18071 Granada Spain
Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA) (ES)
Universidad de Granada (ES)
ORCID: Alcantara, Juan M. A.
Labayen, Idoia
Ruiz, Jonatan R.
Venue: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2019-01-15
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Pages: 22-22
ISSN: 1550-2783 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1186/s12970-019-0288-5
PMC: PMC6503439
OpenAlex: W2947049229
Cited by: 47
References: 46
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1
FWCI: 0.58
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (vor)
Locations: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Academica-e (Universidad Pública de Navarra) (publishedVersion, public-domain)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Leiden Repository (Leiden University) (submittedVersion)
Institutional Repository of the University of Granada (University of Granada) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders: Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (FPU15/04059)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords: cow's milk, dairy products, exercise performance, post-exercise recovery, muscle function, resistance training, endurance exercise, post-exercise nutrition
MeSH terms: Animals, Cattle, Eating, Humans, Milk, Muscle, Skeletal, Athletic Performance, Resistance Training, Myalgia, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Impact of cow’s milk intake on exercise performance and recovery of muscle function: a systematic review

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks