Effect of whey protein isolate on strength, body composition and muscle hypertrophy during resistance training.
OBJECTIVE
Sarcopenia (skeletal muscle wasting with aging) is thought to underlie a number of serious age-related health issues. While it may be seen as inevitable, decreasing this gradual loss of muscle is vital for healthy aging. Thus, it is imperative to investigate exercise and nutrition-based strategies designed to build a reservoir of muscle mass as early as possible.


RESULTS
Elderly individuals are still able to respond to both resistance training and the anabolic signals provided by protein ingestion, provided specific amino acids, such as leucine, are present. Whey proteins are a rich source of these essential amino acids and rapidly elevate plasma amino acids, thus providing the foundations for preservation of muscle mass. Several studies involving supplementation with whey protein have been shown to be effective in augmenting the effects of resistance exercise, particularly when supplementation occurs in the hours surrounding the exercise training.


CONCLUSIONS
While further work is required, particularly in elderly people, simple dietary and exercise strategies that may improve the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass will likely result in a decrease in the overall burden of a number of diseases and improve the quality of life as we age.
Hayes
Alan
A
Exercise Metabolism Unit, Center for Aging, Rehabilitation, Exercise and Sport (CARES) and School of Biomedical Sciences, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia. Alan.Hayes@vu.edu.au
Cribb
Paul J
PJ
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D008894:Milk Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins