M3 Research Group

We are specialised in human metabolic research and aims to develop more effective nutritional and exercise interventions to improve health and performance.

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Muscle disuse and muscle protein synthesis.

Churchward-Venne et al, @AJCNutrition , 2026

Link to paper:
https://t.co/jHKJp5ePSL

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Protein and musculoskeletal tissues.

Study:
Assessing the Responsiveness of Musculoskeletal Tissues to Protein Supplementation in vivo in Older Adults: an Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.

Houtvast et al. @AJCNutrition, 2026

Link:
https://t.co/708IkfzJHv

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

HIIT and muscle protein synthesis

Study:
Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates Do Not Differ During Interval Compared to Continuous Exercise Training Matched for Duration and Work in Healthy Young Men

Trommelen et al. IJSNEM, 2026

Link:
https://t.co/7jaa2JoZlA

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Cold water immersion and blood flow

Study:
Postexercise Cooling Lowers Skeletal Muscle Microvascular Perfusion and Blunts Amino Acid Incorporation into Muscle Tissue in Active Young Adults

Betz et al., MSSE, 2025

Link:
https://t.co/6DHKf20Hpp

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Body fat assessment in paralympic athletes

Study:
Feasibility and Accuracy of Body-Fat Assessment Using Standardized Skinfold-Thickness Assessment vs Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Paralympic Athletes

van Schijndel et al, IJSPP, 2025

Reference:
https://t.co/9rZztpr5ns

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Carbohydrate and glycogen recovery

Study:
Carbohydrate intake of 10 g/kg body mass rapidly replenishes liver, but not muscle glycogen contents, during 12 h of post-exercise recovery in well-trained cyclists

Fuchs et al, J Physiol, 2025

Paper:
https://t.co/mTsQpGv6J6

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Breakfast and liver glycogen

Study:
Breakfast consumption does not rapidly increase liver or muscle glycogen content in well-trained cyclists

Fuchs et al, APJ endo, 2025

Paper:
https://t.co/UdJWMzd9nO

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Canola protein & muscle protein synthesis

Study:
Ingestion of 20 g Whey or Canola Protein Does Not Further Increase Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates During Recovery From Resistance Exercise In Healthy, Young Females

Boot et al. J Nutr, 2025

Paper:
https://t.co/czi0W92jUS

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Canola protein and plasma amino acids.

Study:
Evaluation of processing of canola protein isolate on postprandial plasma amino acid profiles in healthy, young females

Boot et al. Amino Acids, 2025

Open-access article:
https://t.co/KzxCjy8Snp

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Aerobic exercise and blood sugar.

Study:
Aerobic exercise training improves blood glucose homeostasis in healthy older adults.

Monseque et al., Exp Gerontol, 2025

Link to open-access article:
https://t.co/Ka71yCC7ig

[Jorn Trommelen, PhD @JornTrommelen]

Does interval training boost muscle protein synthesis more than continuous exercise?

HIIT vs MICT
✅ Within-participant design
✅ Unilateral cycling model
✅ MPS over 2 weeks

International collab including:
@mackingprof
@gibalam

Let’s break it down (1/10)

[Jorn Trommelen, PhD @JornTrommelen]

Our new review is out:
Introducing the maximal anabolic intake 💪

✅Protein requirements vs maximal anabolic intake
✅Nitrogen balance vs IAAO method
✅Why 95% CI =/= safety margin

Let's break it down. 👇

1/🧵

[Milan Betz @MilanWBetz]

The main study of my PhD is now online!

We investigated whether 8 weeks of aerobic exercise ‘preconditioning’ (to improve muscle fiber capillarization) augments muscle hypertrophy during subsequent resistance exercise training in older adults.

1/6

https://t.co/UyAga218L5

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

@HollowayMitoLab @galloway_stuart @LSpriet @GijsGoossens And a final thank you to @Millar_Lab for coming over to be in the opposition and to give a masterclass on cardiovascular physiology.

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Congrats to the newly minted Dr Heather Petrick for successfully defending her thesis!

Open-access available here:
https://t.co/eDNpsrGZqU

Papers include:
- Ketones & mitochondrial respiration
- Dietary nitrate & mitochondrial protein synthesis

1/2

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

2/2

This was a double degree with the University of Guelph, supervised by Prof Graham Holloway (@HollowayMitoLab)

Thank you to the members of the opposition, including:
@galloway_stuart
@LSpriet
@GijsGoossens

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Whey plus collagen blend.

Ingestion of a Whey Plus Collagen Protein Blend Increases Myofibrillar and Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates
Aussieker et al. @MSSEonline, 2024

Reference:
https://t.co/WUEzWHQU1x

[Cas Fuchs @Cas_Fuchs]

We are looking for a motivated and passionate PhD candidate to join our research team!

PhD Position: Investigating the Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Carbohydrate Metabolism

https://t.co/d4L7YEUscY

Feel free to share or tag someone who might be interested!

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Sauna vs muscle protein synthesis

Repeated passive heat treatment increases muscle tissue capillarization, but does not affect postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy older adults.
Fuchs et al, @JPhysiol, 2024

Link:
https://t.co/9vWa1IKR1Y

[M3 Research Group @m3researchgroup]

Prof. van Loon was on the @foundmyfitness podcast.

See the post below for a detailed list of the discussed topics with timestamps.

[Dr. Rhonda Patrick @foundmyfitness]

Protein catalyzes nearly every biochemical reaction in our bodies, making it indispensable for life. Every day, our bodies renew and replace around 300 grams of protein – the same weight as a can of Campbell's chicken soup.

In today's FoundMyFitness episode, Dr. Luc van Loon joins me to shatter myths about protein intake and muscle protein synthesis. His research showed we can utilize up to 100 grams of protein in one meal, far more than previously thought.

We also dive into how to distribute protein optimally across the day, the top sources, and strategies to ward off anabolic resistance—a state where muscles dial down their response to protein and exercise.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:16 - Why do we need protein?
2:20 - How the protein RDA (0.8 g/kg) was established
6:50 - Protein turnover in organs (brain, liver, etc.)
10:10 - How much protein do you really need?
14:58 - Protein intake when dieting for weight loss
16:15 - How the body adapts to higher protein
19:46 - Anabolic resistance
22:45 - Protein requirements for overweight individuals
24:58 - Gaining strength vs. muscle mass
29:20 - Optimal protein distribution
33:05 - 20g vs. 100g protein post-workout
36:01 - Can evening protein consumption stimulate MPS overnight?
40:45 - How does time-restricted feeding affect MPS?
47:07 - Protein before vs. after exercising
48:57 - How does spreading out protein intake affect hypertrophy?
51:55 - Protein shakes vs. animal protein
54:58 - Protein supplementation for weight loss & recomposition
56:14 - Casein vs. whey protein
59:09 - Factors that influence protein's anabolic potential
1:00:14 - Raw eggs vs. cooked — what's better for hypertrophy?
1:04:07 - Plant vs. animal protein
1:07:08 - Plant-based protein powder
1:11:47 - Whey protein isolate vs. concentrate
1:12:36 - Resistance training & the leucine threshold
1:15:47 - Do high-protein diets cause atherosclerosis?
1:23:45 - Muscle memory & resistance training
1:26:25 - Optimal resistance training frequency
1:28:22 - Advice for elderly who want to start resistance training
1:30:49 - Hormonal changes & resistance training
1:36:09 - Does cold-water immersion blunt gains?
1:45:19 - Hydrolyzed collagen powder
1:53:01 - Signaling roles of collagen peptides
1:55:31 - How hydrolyzed collagen powder affects pain perception
1:56:53 - Benefits of smaller peptides in hydrolyzed collagen
1:58:57 - Collagen's impact on skin health
2:02:46 - Amino acids from hydrolyzed collagen powder
2:07:30 - Luc's exercise routine & diet