Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Centre: Swinburne University of Technology
Location: John St, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia
Lead Researcher: Dr. Donny Camera
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the SUHREC Human Research Ethics Committee

Is building muscle possible through a plant-based diet? Contrary to popular belief, building muscle isn’t just about eating meat and exercising. Getting big and strong can still be possible through a plant-based diet, as long as you train hard and eat enough. A plant-based diet may even allow you to eat more since it typically contains fewer calories than an animal-based diet.

This research study seeks to investigate whether exercise and a short-term plant-based diet can help promote muscle growth in male adults. It also aims to compare the effects of this type of diet to an animal-based protein diet. If successful, this study can form the basis for updating national nutritional guidelines regarding protein food sources for promoting muscle health.

• Participants will receive a specialised meal plan and meals prepared by an accredited practicing dietician and professional chef at no cost.
• Participants may experience improvements in their physique.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those who are looking into the muscle benefits of plant-based diets in the future.
• Participants will be compensated $650 in the form of a VISA gift card for completing all requirements of this study.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research on the muscle benefits of plant-based diets.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Healthy men aged 19-35 who are untrained or recreationally trained
• Must have a BMI of 18.5 – 27.9 kg/m2
• Must not be vegan or vegetarian
• Must not be taking steroidal medications
• Must be able to attend 12 study visits at the research site over approximately 3-4 weeks.

The study team will explain the research study in its entirety but some study details are:

• Participants will be randomly assigned to a potato-protein or animal-protein diet.
  • All meals throughout the study period will be prepared and this will be the only food allowed to be consumed during this period.
  • Meal quantity is based on/ relative to the participant’s body weight, with meal plans designed to maintain body weight.
• Participants will be asked to follow a 14-day protein diet and undergo a total of three muscle biopsies.
• Participants will be asked to complete exercise performance visits that require them to perform resistance exercise.
• Participants will be asked to provide a total of 5ml six blood samples (this equates to less than 1/10th of a typical blood donation to the Red Cross).
• Participation will involve the following date and time commitments:
  Visit 1: Preliminary Test 1 (~45 mins; Time: Flexible)
  • Dates: Monday, October 16th  to Thursday, November 9th   
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Meet and greet and a brief tour.
    • Study explanation consent forms signed.
    • Leg Press and Leg Strength Maximum Testing
    • Exercise clothing is required. 

  Visit 2: Preliminary Test 2 (~45 mins; Time: Flexible)

  • Dates: Thursday, October 19th to Saturday, November 11th  
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • VO2max test
    • Resistance Exercise Familiarisation
    • Exercise clothing is required. 
    • Stool sample collection

  Visit 3: Consumption Deuterium Oxide ‘Loading Dose’ (~6-7 hours; Times Available: 7am-6pm)

  • Date: Tuesday, November 14th  
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Consumption of Deuterium Oxide at selected times throughout the day
    • Muscle Ultrasound
    • Snacks throughout the day and a standardised meal for dinner will all be provided
    • Meal collection
    • Wear comfortable clothing.
    • Bring a laptop, tablet, or other personal device for personal entertainment or work.

  Visit 4: Muscle Biopsy 1 of 3 (~45 – 60 mins; Times Available: 7.15 am – 9.00 am)

  • Date: Wednesday, November 15th 
  • Location: Victoria University (Footscray)
  • Involvement:
    • Muscle biopsy (overnight fast)
    • Blood sample collection
    • Wear comfortable clothing.

  Visit 5: Exercise Session 1 of 6 (~45 mins; Times Available: 7am-11am; 2pm-6pm)

  • Date: Thursday, November 16st    
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
    • Exercise clothing is required. 

  Visit 6: Exercise Session 2 of 6 (~50 mins; Times Available: 7am-11am; 2pm-6pm)

  • Date: Saturday, November 18th    
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
    • Exercise clothing is required. 
    • Blood sample collection
    • Food collection

  Visit 7: Exercise Session 3 of 6 (~50 mins; Time: Times Available: 7am-12pm; 3pm-6pm)

  • Date: Monday, November 20th  
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
  • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
  • Exercise clothing is required. 
  • Blood sample collection

  Visit 8: Muscle Biopsy 2 of 3 (~45 mins; Time Available: 7.15 am – 9.00 am)

  • Wednesday, November 22nd   
  • Location: Victoria University (Footscray)
  • Involvement:
    • Muscle biopsy
    • Blood sample collection
    • Stool sample collection
    • Wear comfortable clothing.
    • Overnight fast

  Visit 9: Exercise Session 4 of 6 (~45 mins; Times Available: 8am-11am; 2pm-4pm)

  • Date: Friday, November 24th
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
    • Exercise clothing is required. 
    • Meal collection

  Visit 10: Exercise Session 5 of 6 (~50 mins; Times Available: 8am-11am; 2pm-6pm)

  • Date: Sunday, November 26th   
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
    • Exercise clothing is required. 
    • Blood sample collection 

  Visit 11: Exercise Session 6 of 6 (~50 mins; Time: Times Available: 7am-11am; 2pm-6pm)

  • Date: Tuesday, November 28th    
  • Location: Swinburne University (Hawthorn)
  • Involvement:
    • Supervised Resistance Exercise Session
    • Exercise clothing is required. 
    • Muscle Ultrasound 
    • Stool sample collection

  Visit 12: Muscle Biopsy 3 of 3 (~45 mins; Time: 7.15 am – 9.00 am)

  • Date: Wednesday, November 29th  
  • Location: Victoria University (Footscray)
  • Involvement:
    • Muscle biopsy
    • Blood sample collection
    • Wear comfortable clothing.
    • Overnight fast

Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne searches for solutions at the intersection of technology and humanity, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the future and now. It all happens thanks to the multidisciplinary approach of their research institutes, Digital Research Innovation Capability Platform, industry partnerships, strategic initiatives, and their world-class specialist facilities.

Please note:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.