The Effects of a Higher Protein Intake During Energy Restriction on Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Women

The role of dietary protein intake on muscle mass and physical function in older adults is important for the prevention of age-related physical limitations. The aim of the present study was to elucidate links between dietary protein intake and muscle mass and physical function in older women meeting current guidelines of objectively assessed physical activity. In 106 women (65 to 70 years old), protein intake was assessed using a 6-day food record and participants were classified into high and low protein intake groups using two Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) thresholds (0.8 g·kg−1 bodyweight (BW) and 1.1 g·kg−1 BW). Body composition, aerobic fitness, and quadriceps strength were determined using standardized procedures, and self-reported physical function was assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry and self-report. Women below the 0.8 g·kg−1 BW threshold had a lower muscle mass (p < 0.05) with no differences in physical function variables. When based on the higher RDA threshold (1.1 g·kg−1 BW), in addition to significant differences in muscle mass, women below the higher threshold had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher likelihood of having physical limitations. In conclusion, the present study supports the RDA threshold of 0.8 g·kg−1 BW of proteins to prevent the loss of muscle mass and emphasizes the importance of the higher RDA threshold of at least 1.1 g·kg−1 BW to infer additional benefits on constructs of physical function. Our study also supports the role of protein intake for healthy ageing, even in older adults meeting guidelines for physical activity.

Download Full-text

Age, Physical Activity, And Body Composition Independently Influence Physical Function In Middle-aged And Older Women

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000518552.31435.6b ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5S) ◽

pp. 593

Author(s):

Rachel E. Salyer ◽

Rachelle A. Reed ◽

Chad R. Straight ◽

Christie L. Ward-Ritacco ◽

Anne O. Brady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Middle Aged

Download Full-text

A hypoenergetic diet with decreased protein intake does not reduce lean body mass in trained females

European Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1007/s00421-020-04555-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alice G. Pearson ◽

Lee Alexander ◽

Oliver C. Witard ◽

Thomas E. Coughlin ◽

Kevin D. Tipton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Lean Body Mass ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Body Mass ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Energy Restriction ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

Dietary Condition ◽

Lower Protein ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose Increasing protein intake during energy restriction (ER) attenuates lean body mass (LBM) loss in trained males. However, whether this relationship exists in trained females is unknown. This study examined the impact of higher compared to lower protein intakes (35% versus 15% of energy intake) on body composition in trained females during 2 weeks of severe ER. Methods Eighteen well-trained females completed a 1-week energy balanced diet (HD100), followed by a 2-week hypoenergetic (40% ER) diet (HD60). During HD60, participants consumed either a high protein (HP; 35% protein, 15% fat) or lower protein (CON; 15% protein, 35% fat) diet. Body composition, peak power, leg strength, sprint time, and anaerobic endurance were assessed at baseline, pre-HD60, and post-HD60. Results Absolute protein intake was reduced during HD60 in the CON group (from 1.6 to 0.9 g·d·kgBM−1) and maintained in the HP group (~ 1.7 g·d·kgBM−1). CON and HP groups decreased body mass equally during HD60 (− 1.0 ± 1.1 kg; p = 0.026 and − 1.1 ± 0.7 kg; p = 0.002, respectively) and maintained LBM. There were no interactions between time point and dietary condition on exercise performance. Conclusion The preservation of LBM during HD60, irrespective of whether absolute protein intake is maintained or reduced, contrasts with findings in trained males. In trained females, the relationship between absolute protein intake and LBM change during ER warrants further investigation. Future recommendations for protein intake during ER should be expressed relative to body mass, not total energy intake, in trained females.

Download Full-text

Effects of Protein Intake Beyond Habitual Intakes Associated With Resistance Training on Metabolic Syndrome-Related Parameters, Isokinetic Strength, and Body Composition in Older Women

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2018-0370 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 545-552

Author(s):

Hellen C.G. Nabuco ◽

Crisieli M. Tomeleri ◽

Rodrigo R. Fernandes ◽

Paulo Sugihara Junior ◽

Edilaine F. Cavalcante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Body Composition ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Older Women ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Control Group ◽

Score Risk

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of protein intake beyond habitual intakes associated with resistance training on metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related parameters, isokinetic strength, and body composition in health older women. A total of 30 older women (68.8 ± 4.3 years) participated in this investigation and were assigned to receive 35 g of whey protein or placebo combined with resistance training, over 12-weeks, three times per week. Blood samples, blood pressure, dietary intake, strength, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention period. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was applied for comparisons. Both groups improved the skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, resistance, reactance, and MetSZ-score risk. However, the improvements in skeletal muscle mass, waist circumference, and MetSZ-score risk were significantly greater in protein group when compared with control group. Moreover, protein group significantly decreased %body fat when compared with control group. Higher protein intake combined with resistance training promoted greater improvements in skeletal muscle mass, %body fat, waist circumference, and MetSZ-score risk in older women.

Download Full-text

Periodized and non-periodized resistance training programs on body composition and physical function of older women

Experimental Gerontology ◽

10.1016/j.exger.2019.03.001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 121 ◽

pp. 10-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Hélio José Coelho-Júnior ◽

Ivan de Oliveira Gonçalvez ◽

Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio ◽

Priscila Yukari Sewo Sampaio ◽

Eduardo Lusa Cadore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Training Programs

Download Full-text

Effects of higher habitual protein intake on resistance-training-induced changes in body composition and muscular strength in untrained older women: A clinical trial study

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/0260106019838365 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 103-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hellen CG Nabuco ◽

Crisieli M Tomeleri ◽

Paulo Sugihara Junior ◽

Rodrigo R Fernandes ◽

Edilaine F Cavalcante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Body Composition ◽

Older Women ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

High Protein ◽

High Protein Intake ◽

Induced Changes

Background: Aging is accompanied by progressive and accentuated decline in muscular strength and skeletal muscle mass, affecting health and functional autonomy. Both resistance training (RT) and diet are strategies that may contribute to improvement in the health of the elderly. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of higher habitual protein intake on RT-induced changes in body composition and strength in untrained postmenopausal women. Methods: Seventy older women were submitted to an RT program. Body composition, muscular strength, and dietary intake (24 h dietary recall) were performed pre- and post-intervention. To verify different intervention effects according to protein intake of the participants, the sample was separated into tertiles according to protein intake: low, moderate, and high protein intake. Results: A time vs. group interaction ( p < 0.05) was observed, with high protein intake presenting greater increases compared with low protein intake, for skeletal muscle mass (5.3% vs. 1.3%), lower limb lean soft tissue (4.9% vs. 1.4%), upper lean soft tissue (4.9% vs. 1.2%), preacher curl (24% vs. 15.2%), and total strength (16.4% vs. 11.7%). A time vs. group interaction ( p < 0.05) was observed, with high protein intake presenting greater increases compared with moderate protein intake, for skeletal muscle mass (5.3% vs. 3.2%). In all groups, a main effect of time ( p < 0.05) was observed for knee extension and chest press. Conclusions: We conclude that intake of >1.0 g/kg/day of protein promotes gains in skeletal muscle mass and muscular strength after RT in untrained older women.

Download Full-text

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid are associated with physical capacity measure but not muscle mass in older women 65–72 years

European Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1007/s00394-021-02773-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Masoud Isanejad ◽

Behnam Tajik ◽

Anne McArdle ◽

Marjo Tuppurainen ◽

Joonas Sirola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Linolenic Acid ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Fat Mass ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Alpha Linolenic Acid

Abstract Purpose The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional association of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) intake with multiple physical functions, muscle mass and fat mass in older women. Method Study subjects were 554 women from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Fracture Prevention Study, with dietary intake assessed with 3-day food record. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical function measures included walking speed 10 m, chair rises, one leg stance, knee extension, handgrip strength and squat. Short physical performance battery (SPPB) score was defined based on the European working group on sarcopenia criteria. Results The multivariable adjusted models showed statistically significant associations for dietary ALA with higher SPPB (β = 0.118, P = 0.024), knee extension force at baseline (β = 0.075, P = 0.037) and lower fat mass (β = − 0.081, P = 0.034), as well as longer one-leg stance (β = 0.119, P = 0.010), higher walking speed (β = 0.113, P = 0.047), and ability to squat to the ground (β = 0.110, P = 0.027) at baseline. Total dietary omega-3 PUFA was associated with better SPPB (β = 0.108, P = 0.039), one-leg stance (β = 0.102, P = 0.041) and ability to squat (β = 0.110, P = 0.028), and with walking speed (β = 0.110, P = 0.028). However, associations for dietary EPA and DHA with physical function and body composition were not significant. Conclusion Dietary omega-3 and ALA, but not EPA and DHA, were positively associated with muscle strength and function in older women. The intake of omega-3 and its subtypes was not associated with muscle mass. Longitudinal studies are needed to show whether omega-3 intake may be important for muscle function in older women.

Download Full-text

Association between Dietary Habits and Physical Function in Brazilian and Italian Older Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12061635 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1635 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hélio J. Coelho-Junior ◽

Riccardo Calvani ◽

Anna Picca ◽

Ivan O. Gonçalves ◽

Francesco Landi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Function ◽

Older Women ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Isometric Handgrip ◽

Isoleucine Leucine ◽

Brazilian Sample

The present study investigated and compared the patterns of dietary protein intake and physical function in Brazilian and Italian older women. Seventy-five Brazilian older women were recruited in a community senior center. Fifty-three age-matched Italian older women were selected from participants of the Longevity check-up (Lookup) 7+ study. In both samples, physical performance was evaluated by isometric handgrip strength (IHG) and five-time sit-to-stand (5 × STS) tests, while diet was assessed through 24-h recall. Results indicated that Brazilian women had a higher intake of plant-based protein (52.7% vs. 30.5% kcal), while Italian women consumed greater amounts of animal-derived protein (29.7% vs. 41.5% kcal). In Brazilian women, the binary logistic regression analysis indicated that body weight-adjusted protein consumption was associated with IHG adjusted by body mass index and with 5 × STS performance. In the Italian sample, the intake of isoleucine, leucine, and valine was significantly associated with 5 × STS performance. Our findings indicate that Brazilian and Italian community-dwelling older women show different patterns of protein intake, with higher consumption of plant-based protein in the Brazilian sample and higher ingestion of animal-derived protein in the Italian subgroup. These dietary patterns may differentially impact the relationship between physical function and protein intake observed in Brazilian and Italian older women.

Download Full-text