Amino Acid and Protein Metabolism in Exercise: PDF OnlyProtein degradation during endurance exercise and recoveryDOHM, G. LYNIS; TAPSCOTT, EDWARD B.; KASPEREK, GEORGE J. Author Information Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834 Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: October 1987 - Volume 19 - Issue 5 - p S166-S171 Free Abstract DOHM, G. L., E. B. TAPSCOTT, and G. J. KASPEREK. Protein degradation during endurance exercise and recovery. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 19, No. 5 (Supplement), pp. S166–S171, 1987. During endurance exercise, there is a net breakdown of body protein and the amino acids so mobilized are available for increased rates of oxidation and gluconeogenesis. At least part of the net loss of protein is due to a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis during exercise. Liver protein degradation is increased during exercise as a result of auto-phagy and proteolysis of cell material inside the secondary lysosomes. The rate of degradation of contractile proteins is decreased during exercise but is increased during the recovery period if the exercise is of high intensity and of long duration. Preliminary evidence suggests that the rate of degradation of non-contractile proteins in muscle may be increased at the same time that contractile protein degradation is decreased. © Williams & Wilkins 1987. All Rights Reserved.