Effects of exercise on protein digestion and absorption

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19481
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Matsunaga Yutaka 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 助教 (10850133)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 運動 / 消化吸収 / タンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is well known that digestion and absorption of nutrients are suppressed after exercise. However, the details of how exercise affects protein digestion and absorption have been unclear. The results of this study reveal that protein ingestion after high-intensity exercise, compared to ingestion at rest, accelerates gastric emptying and increases the absorption speed of protein. However, while the rate of digestion and absorption increased, the amount of unabsorbed residue of ileal terminal also increased, suggesting a potential decrease in absorption efficiency.

Free Research Field

スポーツ栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

栄養素の摂取は、運動・トレーニングの効果に影響を与える要因の一つとなる。本研究では、高強度運動に伴い、タンパク質摂取時の消化吸収速度が増加する一方で、吸収効率が低下する可能性が示唆された。今後、運動に伴いタンパク質の吸収効率が低下する機序の解明や、その予防法を検討することで、運動実施者に対する適切な栄養摂取方法を示す一助になることが期待される。