Pea-Derived Protein Supplementation in Sports and Exercise Nutrition: A Narrative Review of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Training Adaptations
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy
- 2Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Life Health and Bioinformatics, School of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China
- 3College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- 4IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy
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.
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BibTeX
@article{fognani2026peaderived,
title = {{Pea-Derived Protein Supplementation in Sports and Exercise Nutrition: A Narrative Review of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Training Adaptations}},
author = {Alice Fognani and Gilda Aiello and Claudia Abate and Wenze Wu and Sara Baldelli and Mauro Lombardo},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18213612},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3612},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pea-Derived Protein Supplementation in Sports and Exercise Nutrition: A Narrative Review of Muscle Protein Synthesis and Training Adaptations
AU - Alice Fognani
AU - Gilda Aiello
AU - Claudia Abate
AU - Wenze Wu
AU - Sara Baldelli
AU - Mauro Lombardo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18213612
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/21/3612
AB - 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.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -