Effects on physical performance of high protein intake for critically ill adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A retrospective propensity-matched analysis

•Effects of protein intake on physical performance were examined in patients admitted to the intensive care unit.•High protein intake led to a high rate of independent walking at the time of hospital discharge.•This study showed the association between nutrition and physical performance. This study aimed to examine the effects of protein intake on physical performance in critically ill adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients mechanically ventilated over 48 h in the ICU who were classified into two groups based on the amount of protein intake: >1.0 g/kg/d (high-protein group) or