Protein supplementation during resistance-type exercise training in the elderly.

Marika Leenders, Lex B Verdijk, Letty Van der Hoeven, Janneau Van Kranenburg, Rachel Nilwik, Will K W H Wodzig, Joan M G Senden, Hans A Keizer, Luc J C Van Loon
Author Information
  1. Marika Leenders: Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training has been well established as an effective treatment strategy to increase skeletal muscle mass and strength in the elderly. We assessed whether dietary protein supplementation can further augment the adaptive response to prolonged resistance-type exercise training in healthy elderly men and women.
METHODS: Healthy elderly men (n = 31, 70 ± 1 yr) and women (n = 29, 70 ± 1 yr) were randomly assigned to a progressive, 24-wk resistance-type exercise training program with or without additional protein supplementation (15 g·d-1). Muscle hypertrophy was assessed on a whole-body Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), limb (computed tomography), and muscle fiber (biopsy) level. Strength was assessed regularly by 1-repetition maximum (RM) strength testing. Functional capacity was assessed with a sit-to-stand and handgrip test.
RESULTS: One-RM strength increased by 45% ± 6% versus 40% ± 3% (women) and 41% ± 4% versus 44% ± 3% (men) in the placebo versus protein group, respectively (P < 0.001), with no differences between groups. Leg muscle mass (women, 4% ± 1% vs 3% ± 1%; men, 3% ± 1% vs 3% ± 1%) and quadriceps cross-sectional area (women, 9% ± 1% vs 9% ± 1%; men, 9% ± 1% vs 10% ± 1%) increased similarly in the placebo versus protein groups (P < 0.001). Type II muscle fiber size increased over time in both placebo and protein groups (25% ± 13% vs 30% ± 9% and 23% ± 12% vs 22% ± 10% in the women and men, respectively). Sit-to-stand improved by 18% ± 2% and 19% ± 2% in women and men, respectively (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Prolonged resistance-type exercise training increases skeletal muscle mass and strength, augments functional capacity, improves glycemia and lipidemia, and reduces blood pressure in healthy elderly men and women. Additional protein supplementation (15 g·d-1) does not further increase muscle mass, strength, and/or functional capacity.

MeSH Term

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adaptation, Physiological
Aged
Analysis of Variance
Body Composition
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Dietary Proteins
Dietary Supplements
Female
Glycated Hemoglobin
Hand Strength
Humans
Insulin Resistance
Lipoproteins, LDL
Male
Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch
Muscle Strength
Nitrogen
Quadriceps Muscle
Resistance Training
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Chemicals

Dietary Proteins
Glycated Hemoglobin A
Lipoproteins, LDL
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Nitrogen

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0±menwomen1%muscleproteinvstrainingstrengthelderly3%massassessedsupplementationresistance-typeexerciseversus9%capacityincreasedplaceborespectivelyP<0001groupsincreaseskeletalhealthyn=701yr15g·d-1fiber4%10%2%functionalINTRODUCTION:ResistancewellestablishedeffectivetreatmentstrategywhetherdietarycanaugmentadaptiveresponseprolongedMETHODS:Healthy3129randomlyassignedprogressive24-wkprogramwithoutadditionalMusclehypertrophywhole-bodyDual-energyX-rayabsorptiometryDXAlimbcomputedtomographybiopsylevelStrengthregularly1-repetitionmaximumRMtestingFunctionalsit-to-standhandgriptestRESULTS:One-RM45%6%40%41%44%groupdifferencesLegquadricepscross-sectionalareasimilarlyTypeIIsizetime25%13%30%23%12%22%Sit-to-standimproved18%19%CONCLUSION:ProlongedincreasesaugmentsimprovesglycemialipidemiareducesbloodpressureAdditionaland/orProtein

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