Endurance athletes rely on a precise balance of nutrition and training to achieve peak performance. And while

carbohydrates

are important for any athlete, protein is another macronutrient that plays a key role in body composition, endurance, and recovery, as it helps repair and rebuild the muscles subjected to constant stress during training. But how much protein do you need, and how can you increase your intake to see more gains? 

This article explores the health benefits of protein for endurance athletes and uncovers the differences between pea protein vs. whey protein. We will also share ideas for how to increase protein intake to further boost performance and recovery. 

So, tie up your running shoes and strap on your helmet – it’s time to dive into the world of protein for endurance athletes.  

Benefits of protein for endurance athletes

Protein is crucial for endurance athletes due to its multifaceted role in promoting optimal performance and recovery, including the repair and growth of muscle tissue. 

Endurance activities (such as long-distance running or cycling) place significant stress on the muscles, leading to micro-tears and cellular damage. As such, it’s important to consume adequate amounts of protein to help repair this damage and maintain muscle mass, prevent injury and promote overall strength. Here are a few other benefits that protein has for endurance athletes. 

• Improved endurance: Studies have found that protein intake - especially for endurance athletes - is associated with prolonged periods of increased muscle protein synthesis (MPS), which may help enhance endurance over time [

  1

  ].

• Reduced muscle damage. Research indicates that supplemental protein can reduce muscle soreness and markers of muscle damage, especially when taken after daily training sessions [

  2

  ]. 

• Enhanced muscle repair and recovery. Protein may help facilitate muscle recovery and function when taken within 24 hours of exercise [

  3

  ]. 

• Better body composition. When combined with exercise, a high-protein diet appears to increase muscle growth and fat loss, which can contribute to better body composition [

  4

  ]. 

Elo Smart Recovery 

Elo Smart Recovery

is the world’s most personalized recovery product that is perfect for endurance athletes. Think of it as a supplement and protein powder in one scoop, uniquely designed for you and your recovery needs. 

To get your custom blend, we provide a series of questions for you to answer about your dietary habits and preferences, goals, exercise level and frequency, height, weight, age, and gender. Elo AI then matches your information with the latest scientific research to generate a unique blend of protein and wellness boosts (which may include carbohydrates, electrolytes, collagen, amino acids, probiotics, turmeric, ashwagandha, multivitamin, and/or supergreens) just for you.  

With over 10,000 possible combinations of ingredients, Smart Recovery is the most personalized product on the market. 

Elo AI also provides specific Smart Recovery dosing recommendations after every workout when you sync your wearable data with the Elo App. Dosage recommendations incorporate factors such as the activity you completed, your body weight, and the leucine content of your mix to help you recover better.

Our best tasting protein powder comes in a variety of offerings (like chocolate protein powder, vanilla whey protein powder, and vegan options), and you’ll get a hefty protein shaker bottle to enjoy it with. 

Get your custom recovery blend today!

How much protein do you need for endurance exercise?

Endurance athletes (including long-distance cyclists, runners, and triathletes) need more protein than the average individual because these activities increase your metabolic needs and break down muscle tissue [

5

]. And because protein helps the body meet the increased demands of endurance exercise, repair and build new muscle tissue, prevent injury, and promote overall strength, this makes it a vital macronutrient for all athletes [

6

]. 

Due to these increased needs, experts say endurance athletes need anywhere from 1.4 to 2 g/kg/day [

7

]. 

Does protein timing matter?

Studies have found that when you take your protein matters more than you realize. Because your body requires essential amino acids to stimulate MPS, timing your protein intake will help ensure your body has the amino acids it needs to meet the increased metabolic needs of endurance athletes and support athletic performance and recovery.

Here are four ways to optimize your protein timing.

1. Divide and conquer. Research shows that taking 20 g of whey protein every 3 hours may help to stimulate MPS throughout the day [

   8

   ]. 

2. Try a pre-workout protein boost. Taking 0.3 g of protein/kg before endurance exercise may help offset markers of muscle damage [

   9

   ]. 

3. Mix carbs and protein. During longer training sessions or endurance events, try adding 0.25 g of protein/kg/hr to your regular carbohydrate replenishment regimen, as this may reduce muscle damage and soreness [

   9

   ]. 

4. Don’t skip post-workout fuel. Studies show that consuming 20-40 g of high-quality protein post-exercise can stimulate robust increases in muscle protein synthesis [

   10

   ]. 

Pea protein vs. whey protein

Protein powder is the most popular type of protein supplement. Made from protein-rich foods (like milk and egg whites) and plant sources (like soy, pea, rice, pumpkin seed, and hemp), protein powder can be a convenient and cost-effective way to get more quality protein in your diet. 

While there are many types of protein powders to choose from, here’s the difference between whey protein vs plant protein.

Pea protein

With 15 g of protein/serving, this plant-based protein powder is rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and contains arginine and leucine to promote strength, performance, body composition, and muscle thickness [

11

,

12

]. One study showed that active men who took pea protein experienced a greater increase in bicep muscle thickness than those who had whey protein [

12

]. 

At Elo, we offer

plant-based pea protein

that is sourced from non-GMO Belgian yellow peas with no additives or soy.

Whey isolate protein

Whey is one of the primary proteins found in dairy and contains all of the essential amino acids. It’s also highly digestible and quickly absorbed, all while packing about 25 g of protein/serving. Furthermore, whey protein is rich in leucine (which helps kick-start muscle repair and growth), making it a top choice among gym-goers and athletes [

13

].

Here are some additional benefits of whey protein.

• Mitigate muscle damage. Studies show that people who had a high intake of whey protein for 5 days (post-exercise) had mitigated muscle damage biomarkers compared to those who didn’t have whey protein [

  14

  ]. 

• Lower blood pressure. Research has found that whey protein may help lower blood pressure in pre-hypertensive adults [

  15

  ]. 

• More stable blood sugar levels. Whey protein can be helpful in moderating glucose levels, as one study found that people who consumed whey protein with their meals experienced a 28% decrease in blood sugar levels [

  16

  ]. 

• Lower cholesterol levels. Whey protein may support heart health, as research has found that high doses of whey protein can help reduce cholesterol levels over time [

  17

  ]. 

At Elo, we offer

grass-fed whey protein

, which is sourced from pasture-raised cows never treated with hormones or antibiotics.

How many protein shakes a day?

How many protein shakes you need each day depends on your protein needs, which can vary based on age, activity levels, and gender. However, protein shakes are meant to help bridge the gap for any nutrient deficiencies in your diet and should not replace high-quality protein foods.

How to increase protein intake after exercise

Getting enough protein may seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ways for how to increase protein intake post-workout. 

• Elo Smart Recovery

• Vegan protein shake made with pea protein powder and plant milk of choice

• Eggs

• Dairy

• Lean meat

• Poultry

• Fish

• Beans 

• Lentils

• Peas

• Soybeans

• Tofu

Want to incorporate more of these foods into your diet?

Check out these delicious high-protein meals and snacks for active people

.

Summary

Protein plays a key role in body composition, endurance, and recovery, which means that it should be prioritized before, during, and after training sessions. You can optimize your protein intake and boost performance by focusing on protein quality, nutrient timing, and eating a balanced diet throughout the day.  

While you can meet your protein needs with dietary sources like lean meats, eggs, beans, and lentils, protein supplements (like

Elo Smart Recovery

) may also be helpful to bridge any nutritional gaps.

Disclaimer: The text, images, videos, and other media on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace personalized medical care.