Effect of Plant vs Animal Protein Supplementation on Body Composition in Youth Soccer Players (NCT07571720) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effect of Plant vs Animal Protein Supplementation on Body Composition in Youth Soccer Players
Italy25 participantsStarted 2026-01-17
Plain-language summary
This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial investigates the comparative effects of plant-based protein (soy and rice blend) versus animal-based protein (whey) supplementation on body composition parameters in elite male youth soccer players. Twenty-five players (ages 16-18.7 years) from Udinese Calcio's Primavera (U-19) category are randomized into three groups: Plant Protein Group (n=8), Animal Protein Group (n=9), and Placebo Group (n=8). The intervention consists of post-training protein supplementation (17g protein/dose) administered within 15-30 minutes after each training session over a 4-week microcycle during the competitive season. Body composition is assessed using a multi-compartmental model including anthropometry (ISAK protocol), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Who can participate
Age range
16 Years – 19 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Active contract with Udinese Calcio's Primavera (U-19) category during the 2025-2026 season
* Regular participation in the team's technical-tactical and strength training program (minimum 4 sessions per week)
* Signed informed consent (parental consent for participants under 18 years)
* Commitment to adhere to measurement protocol requiring 8-hour fast and assessment at 07:00h
* Commitment to adhere to post-training supplementation protocol with administration at 17:00h
* Confirmed presence and availability for both baseline assessment (Week 0) and final assessment (Week 4)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Open injury records or currently in functional readaptation phase at study initiation
* Consumption of ergogenic or nutritional supplementation independently and external to the club-supervised protocol during the 4 weeks prior to study or during the study period
* Previous diagnosis or current symptomatology compatible with eating disorders
* Known allergies or intolerances to soy, rice, dairy-based proteins, or vanilla flavoring
* Current use of medications that may affect body composition or protein metabolism (anabolic steroids, growth hormone, corticosteroids, thyroid hormones)
* Diagnosed chronic diseases that may affect protein metabolism or body composition (diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, malabsorption syndromes)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Fat-Free Mass (Lean Body Mass)
Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and Final Assessment (Week 4)