A recent connection was made between the University of Kansas and Washburn University to work together on a research study.

Park Lockwood, an assistant professor in the kinesiology department at Washburn University knows Joe Donnelly, professor at the University of Kansas and explained that Washburn would be interested in participating in the research study. The study is looking at testing how proteins help or effect resistance training.  Originally funding from the Dairy Council of America went to the University of Kansas. Now that Washburn has partnered with KU in the study, some of the money comes to Topeka.

To begin, both universities needed to find participants. Each school sent out a mass e-mail to all students explaining what the research was and who they were interested in. Both schools received large numbers of responses but some respondents were deemed ineligible if they didn’t meet the criteria. The criteria for the research project stated a subject had to be between ages 18 and 30, be sedentary, and have a high BMI.

The Washburn University branch has 15 participants, which have close to even boy to girl ratio. Washburn started their research in late June and is supposed to end it late March but there is talk of making the study longer than nine months continuing throughout the summer so they can add more participants making it 24 rather than 15.

More specifically, the study is looks at the way protein and resistance training effect body composition and weight. There are three groups; with the first group testing resistance training with whey protein, the second uses soy, and the third group takes a placebo.

None of the participants know which group they are in and after the study is completed the results will be studied to determine what effect protein has on body composition and weight.  Each participant works out three times a week.

In addition, throughout the study the participants are paid through the end of the study. Some will have earned $1000.

Lockwood also said that being involved in this research was a great way to get started in expanded the research done at Washburn University.

 “The goal of teaming up with KU is that someday down the road, Washburn will be able to start our own research studies and have KU help us,” said Lockwood