Effect of Protein Supplement Plus Hyper-Caloric Intake and Exercise on Hypertrophy, Hormones and Energy Components among Underweight Males

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of 8 weeks of protein supplementation plus hyper-caloric intake and resistance training on hypertrophy, hormones and energy components of underweight males. Sixty underweight males from Dhahran and the nearby region aged 19 to 24 years will participate in this study. The selection of subjects will depend on the body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m2. The subjects will be categorized into four an equal groups (n = 15 each), protein supplementation with hyper-caloric intake and resistance training group1 (G-1), protein supplementation with hyper-caloric intake group 2 (G-2), resistance training group 3 (G-3) and a control group 4 (G-4). The control group will not undergo any resistance training, protein supplementation or hyper caloric intake, but will have normal food intake. The subjects will be measured before and after the training period in physical characteristics (PC) [body mass (BM) optimal body mass (OBM), height (H), body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%BF), fat free mass (FFM), total body water (TBW)], hormones [Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), cortisol and testosterone], energy components (EC) [energy expenditure (EE), food intake (FI), energy needs (EN)] and 1RM Tests [leg press (LP), chest press (CP) and abdomen press (AP)]. The resistance training (RT) will be administered for 8 weeks, twice per week for 30 min per session for G-1 and G-3. The drills that will be used are deadlift, step-up, upright row, shoulder press, power clean, seated row, chest press and hip sled. The data will be analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software. Mean and standard deviation will be calculated for all subjects. The paired t-test will be applied to find out the significant differences within each group independently. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be utilized to compare the mean differences between groups (Post-tests minus Pre-tests). The level of significance will be P 0.05.