Originally Posted by
chasm54
KBentley has kindly provided an abstract from one research paper that gives a pretty clear indication that recovery - measured through performance the following day and reduced muscle damage - is enhanced by consuming additional protein post-ride.
It's important to note that the subjects were also fed
during the exercise (when it would seem to make the most sense), and that the CHO+P beverage ended up with more calories than the CHO-only drink, so that confounds the results a little. It's too bad they didn't note what the subjects ate before the exercise, or whether it was even controlled.
I'm sure that the studies finding the most "magic" to post-workout protein and carbs will also involve subjects that were the most depleted by the end of the exercise.