Muscle HypertrophyCHO & PRO+CHONCT07600138
Effects of Carbohydrates Versus Carbohydrates + Protein on Resistance Training Outcomes
A study testing CHO and PRO in people with Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength, run by Auburn University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. This study investigated whether supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy, strength, and fatigue resistance in resistance-trained men. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Muscle Hypertrophy, Strength
- What is being tested?
- CHO and PRO
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 12 May 2025to 16 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male sex
- Aged 18-40 years
- BMI not exceeding 35 kg/m²
- Minimum of two years resistance training experience
- Resistance training frequency of at least four days per week
- No known allergy to whey protein supplements
Who cannot join
- Known cardio-metabolic disease (e.g., clinical obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease)
- Any condition contraindicating participation in resistance training
- Known allergy to whey protein supplements
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. This study investigated whether supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy, strength, and fatigue resistance in resistance-trained men.
Twenty resistance-trained men completed a quasi-randomized, double-blinded, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants consumed either a daily protein-only supplement (30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate) or a daily protein-plus-carbohydrate supplement (30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate) for 8 weeks each, followed by crossover, while continuing their habitual training and diet. Primary outcomes included lean mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle thickness and cross-sectional area (ultrasound), back squat one-repetition maximum, knee extensor peak torque, and fatigue index.
The carbohydrate-protein supplement produced significantly higher daily energy and carbohydrate intake compared to the protein-only supplement, with no differences in protein intake, fat intake, or training volume. No significant between-condition differences were observed for any outcome. These results suggest that modest increases in carbohydrate-energy intake outside of an energy deficit are unlikely to meaningfully enhance muscle hypertrophy, strength, or fatigue resistance in trained men.
- Conditions
- Muscle Hypertrophy, Strength
- Being tested
- CHO, PRO
- Keywords
- Resistance training, Carbohydrate supplementation, Energy intake, Muscle hypertrophy, Muscle strength, Crossover trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
CHODietary supplement
Also called Whey protein + CHO
Daily consumption of a whey protein and maltodextrin mixture providing 30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 92 g serving for 8 weeks
PRODietary supplement
Also called Whey protein only
Daily consumption of a whey protein blend providing 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 39 g serving for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| CHO | Experimental | Daily consumption of a whey protein and maltodextrin mixture providing 30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 92 g serving for 8 weeks. Receives: Dietary Supplement: CHO; Dietary Supplement: PRO |
| PRO | Active comparator | Daily consumption of a whey protein blend providing 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 39 g serving for 8 weeks. Receives: Dietary Supplement: CHO; Dietary Supplement: PRO |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Lean mass
Bone-free lean tissue mass according to Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Mid-thigh muscle thickness
Change in lateral thigh muscle thickness (vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius)
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Back Squat One-Repetition Maximum
Change in back squat 1RM
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Knee Extensor Peak Torque
Change in knee extensor peak torque using isokinetic dynamometry
Measured: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 May 2026
- Study start12 May 2025
- Primary completion15 Sep 2025
- Study completion16 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Muscle HypertrophyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Auburn University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Michael Roberts, Auburn University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07600138
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00000295
- Acronym
- CHO & PRO+CHO
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 15 May 2026
- Last updated
- 20 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data are publicly available via the Open Science Framework
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Carbohydrates Versus Carbohydrates + Protein on Resistance Training Outcomes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07600138
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CHO & PRO+CHO / STUDY00000295
- Conditions
- Muscle Hypertrophy, Strength
- Keywords
- Resistance training, Carbohydrate supplementation, Energy intake, Muscle hypertrophy, Muscle strength, Crossover trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Auburn UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. This study investigated whether supplemental carbohydrate-energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy, strength, and fatigue resistance in resistance-trained men.
Twenty resistance-trained men completed a quasi-randomized, double-blinded, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants consumed either a daily protein-only supplement (30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate) or a daily protein-plus-carbohydrate supplement (30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate) for 8 weeks each, followed by crossover, while continuing their habitual training and diet. Primary outcomes included lean mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle thickness and cross-sectional area (ultrasound), back squat one-repetition maximum, knee extensor peak torque, and fatigue index.
The carbohydrate-protein supplement produced significantly higher daily energy and carbohydrate intake compared to the protein-only supplement, with no differences in protein intake, fat intake, or training volume. No significant between-condition differences were observed for any outcome. These results suggest that modest increases in carbohydrate-energy intake outside of an energy deficit are unlikely to meaningfully enhance muscle hypertrophy, strength, or fatigue resistance in trained men.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| CHO | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: CHO, Dietary Supplement: PRODaily consumption of a whey protein and maltodextrin mixture providing 30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 92 g serving for 8 weeks. |
| PRO | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: CHO, Dietary Supplement: PRODaily consumption of a whey protein blend providing 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 39 g serving for 8 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male sex
- Aged 18-40 years
- BMI not exceeding 35 kg/m²
- Minimum of two years resistance training experience
- Resistance training frequency of at least four days per week
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Known cardio-metabolic disease (e.g., clinical obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease)
- Any condition contraindicating participation in resistance training
- Known allergy to whey protein supplements
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| CHOAlso: Whey protein + CHODaily consumption of a whey protein and maltodextrin mixture providing 30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 92 g serving for 8 weeks | Dietary supplement | CHO, PRO |
| PROAlso: Whey protein onlyDaily consumption of a whey protein blend providing 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fat per 39 g serving for 8 weeks. | Dietary supplement | CHO, PRO |
Primary outcome
Lean mass
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Bone-free lean tissue mass according to Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Mid-thigh muscle thickness
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Change in lateral thigh muscle thickness (vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius)
Back Squat One-Repetition Maximum
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Change in back squat 1RM
Knee Extensor Peak Torque
Time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)
Change in knee extensor peak torque using isokinetic dynamometry
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data are publicly available via the Open Science Framework
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing CHO and PRO in people with Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength, run by Auburn University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Lean mass (time frame: Baseline, 8 weeks (mid-point), 16 weeks (post)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 May 2026.