Protein needs increase with exercise?

yogicarl

I notice that on MFP my protein target increases as I input exercise calories.

Surely it depends on what kind of exercise I am doing that determines how much more protein I might need in a day and not just calorie burn?

I would expect any kind of strength training to require an increase in protein for repair, but not a session of cardio by much.

I'm not training to gain muscle, but am looking to maintain muscle while on a deficit with a long term goal of high strength to low BF percentage.

3laine75

I think that's because it's based on a percentage and not a set number of Grammes. When I was adding in exercise cals (use TDEE now) I just used the original minimums - I had whatever I liked with the extra ones because I had 'earned' them =D

cwolfman13

Because MFP uses %s for macro-ratios. When you get your calories to "eat back" from exercise, your macros have to go up as well to maintain those same %s.

MityMax96

well if you exercise, then you are using muscles.....
Now some forms of exercise will put more of demand on muscles....thus the need for more protein.

I think the DRI for protein is around 60 - 90 gr.....and that would be for a person doing little to no activity.

If doing moderate activity, not consisting of weight lifting, then I would say you can swing 0.6 gr / pound of body weight fine.

For those doing weight lifting....most studies point to 0.8 - 1.0 gr / pound of body weight being the target for protein.

yogicarl

Thanks both - that's understood. I think the MFP percentage increase for Protein is a bit high, unless you are breaking muscle down with intense strength training.

For example today, MFP says I need to consume another 13g Protein to cover a 90 minute Ashtanga Yoga session. I know I go for it, but 13g seems a bit high when my resting target is around 100g.

Thanks MityMax. I guess the answer is to watch the Protein figure for a rough estimate and then consider how much more for the kind of exercise each day.