Athletes have increased protein needs as compared with sedentary individuals?

Answer 1

An athelete needs about 1.5g of protein per pound of body weight for maximum benefits. for example a 160 pound man would need about 240g of protein on days of exercise. A bodybuilder would need 2g of protein for maximum benefits. Whereas a sedentary person would generally only need approx. .5g of protein per pound of body weight a day. if you can get 1g of protein per pound of body weight that would be fine.

Answer 2

It would depend on their diet, but usually no.

Most people who follow a typical North American/ European diet eat more protein that they need and what their bodies are able to absorb anyhow, and removing the excess is just an extra load to the body.

An athlete needs to train very, very hard (think several sessions daily) before extra protein will do any good. Anything less than that, your regular foods will provide everything your body can use.