Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
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.
I'm certainly not suggesting that one shouldn't eat while riding. When taking part in multi-day events we used to say that one should eat whether or not one felt the need, because one was eating for the following day's ride.
But I'm not persuaded that this negates the need for post-ride protein. Food consumed while riding - protein as well as carbs - is likely to be taken up immediately to fuel the effort. It isn't clear to me that it will stimulate muscle fibre repair in the same way as protein consumed at rest following the activity.