{
  "abstract": "Background: Plant-derived proteins are increasingly prominent in sports nutrition, yet pea protein (Pisum sativum) is often confounded with multi-ingredient blends or fortified formulations. This narrative review evaluates human and preclinical evidence on pea protein in skeletal muscle anabolism, exercise recovery, and training adaptations. Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to September 2026. Thirty-three studies (24 human, 8 animal, 1 in vitro) were stratified by experimental model, intervention directness (isolated pea protein vs. blends/adjuncts), and physiological endpoints. Results: Isolated pea protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein synthesis (MPS) under specific conditions, despite lower early peak leucine and essential amino acid concentrations than whey. Longitudinal resistance-training trials report improvements in muscle mass and strength with pea protein; however, available data do not establish an added benefit over training alone or formal equivalence/non-inferiority to whey. Preclinical models suggest potential anti-atrophic bioactivity of specific pea peptides. Conclusions: Isolated pea protein supports postprandial MPS and resistance-training adaptations. However, current evidence is insufficient to establish equivalence to dairy proteins. Powered trials with prespecified non-inferiority margins are needed.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy",
    "Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Life Health and Bioinformatics, School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China",
    "College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China",
    "IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alice Fognani",
      "orcid": "0009-0002-1098-8254"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Gilda Aiello",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4327-0521"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Claudia Abate"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Wenze Wu",
      "orcid": "0009-0007-9571-694X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Sara Baldelli",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7003-3172"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mauro Lombardo",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7509-5487"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/azcjz76zp6808.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/nu18213612",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "azcjz76zp6808",
  "issns": [
    "2072-6643"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3612",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-30",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/azcjz76zp6808.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T00:21:06Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/nu18213612",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3612"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:2072-6643",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Pea-Derived Protein Supplementation in Sports and Exercise Nutrition: A Narrative Review of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Training Adaptations",
  "title_text": "Pea-Derived Protein Supplementation in Sports and Exercise Nutrition: A Narrative Review of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Training Adaptations",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-01T00:21:03Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/azcjz76zp6808",
  "venue": "Nutrients",
  "versions": []
}