Достаточное употребление [[протеин]]а является необходимым условием сохранения сухой мышечной массы. Потребность в протеине у спортсменов значительно выше, поскольку необходимо поддерживать высокую физическую активность организма, а силовым атлетам протеин также необходим еще и для [[Как увеличить мышечную массу (секреты профессионалов)|набора мышечной массы]]<ref>Lambert CP, Frank LL, Evans WJ: Macronutrient considerations for the sport of bodybuilding. Sports Med 2004, 34:317-327.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15107010?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Butterfield GE: Whole-body protein utilization in humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1987, 19:S157-S165. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3316915?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Lemon PW: Beyond the zone: protein needs of active individuals. J Am Coll Nutr 2000, 19:513S-521S. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023001?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM: Dietary protein for athletes: from requirements to metabolic advantage. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2006, 31:647-654.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17213878?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM, Moore DR, Tang JE: A critical examination of dietary protein requirements, benefits, and excesses in athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2007, 17(Suppl):S58-S76.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18577776?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Slater G, Phillips SM: Nutrition guidelines for strength sports: sprinting, weightlifting, throwing events, and bodybuilding. J Sports Sci 2011, 29:S67-S77.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660839?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Tipton KD, Wolfe RR: Protein and amino acids for athletes. J Sports Sci 2004, 22:65-79. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14971434?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM, Van Loon LJ: Dietary protein for athletes: from requirements to optimum adaptation. J Sports Sci 2011, 29(Suppl 1):S29-S38.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22150425?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref>.

Ряд исследователей полагает, что спортсмены находящиеся на [[Низкокалорийная диета|низкокалорийной диете]] нуждаются в большем потреблении протеина<ref>Garthe I, Raastad T, Refsnes PE, Koivisto A, Sundgot-Borgen J: Effect of two different weight-loss rates on body composition and strength and power-related performance in elite athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2011, 21:97-104.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21558571?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Mero AA, Huovinen H, Matintupa O, Hulmi JJ, Puurtinen R, Hohtari H, Karila T: Moderate energy restriction with high protein diet results in healthier outcome in women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2010, 7:4.Mero AA, Huovinen H, Matintupa O, Hulmi JJ, Puurtinen R, Hohtari H, Karila T: Moderate energy restriction with high protein diet results in healthier outcome in women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2010, 7:4.</ref><ref>Mettler S, Mitchell N, Tipton KD: Increased protein intake reduces lean body mass loss during weight loss in athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010, 42:326-337.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19927027?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Millward DJ: Macronutrient intakes as determinants of dietary protein and amino acid adequacy. J Nutr 2004, 134:1588S-1596S.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15173435?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Stiegler P, Cunliffe A: The role of diet and exercise for the maintenance of fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate during weight loss. Sports Med 2006, 36:239-262.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16526835?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Walberg JL, Leidy MK, Sturgill DJ, Hinkle DE, Ritchey SJ, Sebolt DR: Macronutrient content of a hypoenergy diet affects nitrogen retention and muscle function in weight lifters. Int J Sports Med 1988, 9:261-266.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3182156?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Helms ER, Zinn C, Rowlands DS, Brown SR: A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2013. Epub ahead of print</ref>. Считается, что потребление белка на уровне 1,2-2,2 г/кг массы тела является достаточным для нужд спортсменов в условиях обычного тренировочного процесса<ref>Lemon PW: Beyond the zone: protein needs of active individuals. J Am Coll Nutr 2000, 19:513S-521S. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023001?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM: Dietary protein for athletes: from requirements to metabolic advantage. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2006, 31:647-654.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17213878?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM, Moore DR, Tang JE: A critical examination of dietary protein requirements, benefits, and excesses in athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2007, 17(Suppl):S58-S76.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18577776?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Slater G, Phillips SM: Nutrition guidelines for strength sports: sprinting, weightlifting, throwing events, and bodybuilding. J Sports Sci 2011, 29:S67-S77.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660839?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Tipton KD, Wolfe RR: Protein and amino acids for athletes. J Sports Sci 2004, 22:65-79.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14971434?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Phillips SM: Protein requirements and supplementation in strength sports. Nutrition 2004, 20:689-695.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15212752?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000,f1000m,isrctn</ref><ref>Tarnopolsky MA: Building muscle: nutrition to maximize bulk and strength adaptations to resistance exercise training. Eur J Sport Sci 2008, 8:67-76.http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17461390801919128#.VFQadvmsWsw</ref><ref>Tipton KD: Protein for adaptations to exercise training. Eur J Sport Sci 2008, 8:107-118.http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17461390801919102#.VFQagvmsWsw</ref>.