Fundacio Eurecat

Proteins can be classified as high or low biological value proteins depending on their composition in essential amino acids, which are those amino acids that the body cannot synthesize and must be provided through food. In recent years, there has been growing interest in reducing the consumption of proteins of animal origin, leading to the search for more sustainable protein options, such as vegetable proteins. However, vegetable options do not have a complete profile of essential amino acids. In this sense, soy protein is considered the reference vegetable protein because it has an adequate amino acid profile. However, the amount of methionine is considerably lower than that of an animal source, and it also has a considerable allergenic potential. The mixture of two types of complementary vegetable protein sources could serve as a strategy to achieve the profile of essential amino acids like that of an animal protein.
The hypothesis of the present study is that the consumption of a mixture of vegetable proteins from legume and cereal sources will complement each other to achieve a bioavailability of essential amino acids equal to or greater than that observed when consuming soy protein.

The physiological processes of the body present daily oscillations called circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is essential for maintaining the vital functions of organisms, intervening directly and indirectly in a multitude of key processes, such as hormone secretion, cycles of activity and rest throughout the day, body temperature, the metabolism or absorption, processing and detoxification of nutrients. There are factors such as certain work schedules, prolonged exposure to screens, certain eating patterns or social jetlag, which have a negative impact on the circadian rhythm, causing its disruption and favoring the appearance of health alterations. Thus, there is evidence that associates night shift work with a higher incidence of risk factors for developing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases, including obesity, elevated blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, disorders in the sleep cycle are associated with the development of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Several previous studies show that a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has beneficial effects on different parameters by restoring the circadian rhythm.

Physical exercise induces numerous changes in the body in a complex signalling network caused by or in response to increased metabolic activity of contracting skeletal muscles.
The application of omics analytical techniques such as proteomics and metabolomics in the field of sport allows us to understand how the human body responds to exercise and how sports results can be improved by optimising nutrition and training. Both omics techniques offer a quantitative measurement of the metabolic profiles associated with exercise and are able to identify metabolic signatures of athletes from different sports disciplines.
Basketball is a high-intensity exercise modality interspersed with low-intensity. The performance requirements of basketball include aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, with anaerobic metabolism being considered the main energy system. Therefore, basketball players need great athletic ability to produce a successful performance during competition.
For optimal sports performance it is important to adjust the training load, i.e. the degree of effort that the player can withstand in a single training session. Coaches require effective and objective load monitoring tools that allow them to make decisions about training plans based on the needs of each player.
Microsampling systems emerge as an alternative to venipuncture by facilitating self-sampling, which can be carried out outside healthcare centres, in a comfortable and precise way from a small finger prick that the user can perform. These systems are less expensive and can be effective in measuring the levels of glucose metabolism products, such as lactate, through the application of metabolomics and proteomics. On the other hand, the use of non-invasive methods of measuring lactate levels is becoming increasingly popular in sports medicine. The use of saliva as an alternative fluid to the blood shows promise for identifying the concentrations of metabolites that occur during and after sports training.