Young men performed 100 eccentric knee extensions, then consumed one of three supplements (water only, 25g of whey protein isolate or 25g of hydrolyzed whey protein isolate) immediately after exercise and again six hours and 22 hours after exercise.
Peak torque decreased to a similar extent in all groups (about 23%) after exercise but returned to baseline quicker (six hours after exercise) in the hydrolyzed whey protein group.
The results of this study indicate that hydrolyzed whey protein is an effective supplement to speed recovery of muscle function following intense exercise.