PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION DOES NOT RESCUE MUSCLE MASS AND FUNCTION–HEAVY RESISTANCE TRAINING IS REQUIRED

Abstract The requirement of an enhanced dietary protein intake to counteract the age-related loss of muscle mass is still debated. Further, the dinner meal generally contains the majority of protein and energy and since, the muscle of older adults responds less to protein intake than that of younger adults it is hypothesized that older adults would benefit from taking more protein in at other meals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the provision of protein supplements for breakfast and lunch meals over the course of a year would make healthy, older, home-dwelling adults (N=136) take in more protein and whether that then would affect their muscle mass (primary outcome) and a number of metabolic health parameters, muscle strength parameters and functional capabilities. More than 77% ingested more than 75% of the provided supplements, irrespective of supplementation type (isocaloric carbohydrate; collagen hydrolysate low quality protein: whey hydrolysate high quality protein). Providing supplementation for a year among older adults makes them comply very well. However, provision of extra protein has no impact on the muscle mass or strength or on the functional parameters. Further, we studied the impact of adding resistance training on top of WHEY protein supplementation and found that heavy more than light-load resistance training affects fat-free mass and maximal-voluntary contraction. Daily protein intake can be enhanced by supplementation but do not impact muscle mass and function over the course of a year, where heavy resistance training on top benefits, but to a lesser than expected degree.

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Amount of Protein Required to Improve Muscle Mass in Older Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12061700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1700

Author(s):

Doyeon Kim ◽

Yongsoon Park

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Women ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Older Men ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Age Related ◽

And Function ◽

Habitual Protein Intake

Increased protein intake has been suggested as an effective strategy to treat age-related loss of muscle mass and function, but the amount of protein required to improve muscle and function without exercise in older adults remains unclear. Thus, this secondary data analysis aimed to assess what amount of protein from habitual protein intake was positively associated with changes in muscle mass and gait speed in older women and men. Ninety-six community-dwelling older adults consumed 0.8, 1.2, or 1.5 g/kg/day of protein and maintained their usual physical activity for 12 weeks. Increased protein intake of >0.54 g/kg/day was positively associated with changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)/weight (B = 0.591, p = 0.026), ASM/body mass index (B = 0.615, p = 0.023), and ASM:fat ratio (B = 0.509, p = 0.030) in older men. However, change in protein intake was not associated with change in muscle mass in older women. Additionally, change in protein intake was not associated with change in gait speed in older women and men. The present study suggested that an increased absolute protein amount of >0.54 g/kg/day from habitual protein intake was positively associated with change in muscle mass in older men.

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Effects of Reallocating Time Spent in Different Physical Activity Intensities on Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults: An Isotemporal Substitution Analysis

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology11010111 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 111

Author(s):

Jort Veen ◽

Diego Montiel-Rojas ◽

Fawzi Kadi ◽

Andreas Nilsson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Age Related ◽

Muscle Health ◽

The Impact

The role of daily time spent sedentary and in different intensities of physical activity (PA) for the maintenance of muscle health currently remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of reallocating time spent in different PA intensities on sarcopenia risk in older adults, while considering PA type (muscle strengthening activities, MSA) and protein intake. In a sample of 235 community-dwelling older adults (65–70 years), a sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was created based on muscle mass assessed by bioimpedance, together with handgrip strength and performance on the five times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test assessed by standardized procedures. Time spent in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and being sedentary was assessed by accelerometry, and PA type (MSA) by self-report. Linear regression models based on isotemporal substitution were employed. Reallocating sedentary time to at least LPA was significantly (p < 0.05) related to a lower SRS, which remained evident after adjustment by PA type (MSA) and protein intake. Similarly, reallocating time in LPA by MVPA was related to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower SRS. Our results emphasize the importance of displacing sedentary behaviours for more active pursuits, where PA of even light intensities may alleviate age-related deteriorations of muscle health in older adults.

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Potential Benefits of a Minimal Dose Eccentric Resistance Training Paradigm to Combat Sarcopenia and Age-Related Muscle and Physical Function Deficits in Older Adults

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.790034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sara A. Harper ◽

Brennan J. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Training Paradigm ◽

Exercise Participation ◽

Minimal Dose ◽

Age Related ◽

And Function

The ability of older adults to perform activities of daily living is often limited by the ability to generate high mechanical outputs. Therefore, assessing and developing maximal neuromuscular capacity is essential for determining age-related risk for functional decline as well as the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Interventions designed to enhance neuromuscular capacities underpinning maximal mechanical outputs could positively impact functional performance in daily life. Unfortunately, < 10% of older adults meet the current resistance training guidelines. It has recently been proposed that a more “minimal dose” RT model may help engage a greater proportion of older adults, so that they may realize the benefits of RT. Eccentric exercise offers some promising qualities for such an approach due to its efficiency in overloading contractions that can induce substantial neuromuscular adaptations. When used in a minimal dose RT paradigm, eccentric-based RT may be a particularly promising approach for older adults that can efficiently improve muscle mass, strength, and functional performance. One approach that may lead to improved neuromuscular function capacities and overall health is through heightened exercise tolerance which would favor greater exercise participation in older adult populations. Therefore, our perspective article will discuss the implications of using a minimal dose, submaximal (i.e., low intensity) multi-joint eccentric resistance training paradigm as a potentially effective, and yet currently underutilized, means to efficiently improve neuromuscular capacities and function for older adults.

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Strength training and protein supplementation improve muscle mass, strength, and function in mobility-limited older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-019-01234-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 605-616 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sigve Nyvik Aas ◽

Olivier Seynnes ◽

Haakon B. Benestad ◽

Truls Raastad

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Strength Training ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Protein Supplementation ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

And Function

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The Impact of Dairy Protein Intake on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in Middle-Aged to Older Adults with or without Existing Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmy065 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 59-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Nivine I Hanach ◽

Fiona McCullough ◽

Amanda Avery

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Dairy Protein ◽

The Impact

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DIETARY PROTEIN TO MAINTAIN MUSCLE MASS IN AGING: A CASE FOR PER-MEAL PROTEIN RECOMMENDATIONS

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2016.80 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

C.H. MURPHY ◽

S.Y. OIKAWA ◽

S.M. PHILLIPS

Keyword(s):

Muscle Mass ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Muscle Protein ◽

Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽

Dietary Advice ◽

Age Related ◽

Meal Protein ◽

Single Meal ◽

And Function

It is well accepted that daily protein intake is an important dietary consideration to limit and treat age-related declines in muscle mass, strength, and function. Furthermore, we propose that there is a growing appreciation for the need to consider protein intake on a per-meal basis rather than simply focusing on the total daily protein intake. The existence of a saturable dose-response relationship between muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and the quantity of protein consumed in a single meal/bolus provides the rationale for promoting an even/balanced pattern of daily protein intake. We hypothesize that a balanced/even protein intake pattern with the ingestion a quantity of protein shown to optimally stimulate MPS at each meal may be an effective strategy to alleviate sarcopenic muscle loss. In this review we examine the available evidence supporting the influence of dietary protein intake pattern on muscle protein turnover, muscle mass, and muscle function. We present several practical considerations that, it is proposed, should be taken into account when translating a per-meal protein recommendation into dietary advice for older adults.

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Sarcopenia—definitions and epidemiology

Oxford Textbook of Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780198701590.003.0054 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 409-414

Author(s):

José A. Morais

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Resistance Exercise Training ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

Age Related ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Sarcopenia is a progressive and inevitable loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with ageing that places older adults at high risk for adverse health outcomes. Up to of 15% of older adults suffer negative healthcare consequences because of sarcopenia. Furthermore, it is responsible for two to four times greater risk of disability. Expert groups have proposed clinical oriented criteria based on gait speed <0.8 m/s and low handgrip strength before performing muscle mass assessment. Multiple aetiologies are implicated in the development of sarcopenia including age-related, lifestyle, neurodegeneration, hormonal, and inflammation factors. Resistance exercise training and higher than recommended protein intake are two accessible means to counteract sarcopenia. Hormonal interventions, despite amelioration in muscle and fat masses, have not led to significant gains in function. Sarcopenia shares many features with frailty and can be considered as one of its underlying mechanisms.

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Resistance training and sarcopenia

Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease ◽

10.4081/monaldi.2015.738 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 84 (1-2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Francesco Giallauria ◽

Antonio Cittadini ◽

Neil Andrew Smart ◽

Carlo Vigorito

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Muscle Growth ◽

Post Translational Modification ◽

Age Related ◽

Central Nervous Systems ◽

New Treatment ◽

And Function ◽

Hormonal Milieu

Aging is inexorably accompanied by a progressive decline of muscle mass, quality and strength. The resulting condition has been termed sarcopenia. Age-related sarcopenia can be accelerated by a variety of factors including changes in the hormonal milieu, inactivity, poor nutrition, chronic illness, and loss of integrity and function in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The downstream mechanisms by which these risk factors cause sarcopenia are not completely understood. Exercise training (particularly resistance training) has long been identified as the most promising method for increasing muscle mass and strength among older people. New interventions aimed at preventing muscle atrophy, promoting muscle growth and ultimately, maintaining muscle functions during aging are discussed. Understanding how age affects muscle-related gene expression, protein recycling and resynthesis, post-translational modification and turnover will be crucial to identify new treatment options. RiassuntoL’invecchiamento è inesorabilmente accompagnato da un progressivo declino della massa, della qualità e della forza muscolare. La conseguente condizione viene definita sarcopenia. La sarcopenia correlata all’invecchiamento può essere accelerata da una serie di fattori tra cui le modifiche degli equilibri ormonali, la sedentarietà, la scarsa nutrizione, le patologie croniche, e la perdita di integrità e funzione del sistema nervoso centrale e periferico. I meccanismi attraverso i quali questi fattori causano sarcopenia sono ancora non completamente chiari. L’esercizio fisico (in particolare il training di resistenza) è da tempo identificato come una delle più promettenti stratefie per aumentare la massa muscolare e la forza negli anziani. Interventi mirati a prevenire la atrofia muscolare, a promuovere la crescita muscolare e, in ultima analisi, preservare le funzioni muscolari durante l’invecchiamento verranno discussi. Comprendere come l’invecchiamento interferisce con l’espressione genica ai livello muscolare, con i sistemi di riciclo e resintesi proteica, con le modifiche post-traslatzionali e il turnover, sarà cruciale per identificare e implementare nuove strategie terapeutiche.

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