title: Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnesium deficiency is associated with poor physical performance, but no trials are available on how magnesium supplementation affects elderly people's physical performance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to investigate whether 12 wk of oral magnesium supplementation can improve physical performance in healthy elderly women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 139 healthy women (mean ± SD age: 71.5 ± 5.2 y) attending a mild fitness program were randomly allocated to a treatment group (300 mg Mg/d; n = 62) or a control group (no placebo or intervention; n = 77) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence, and researchers were blinded to their grouping. After assessment at baseline and again after 12 wk, the primary outcome was a change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); secondary outcomes were changes in peak torque isometric and isokinetic strength of the lower limbs and handgrip strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 124 participants allocated to the treatment (n = 53) or control (n = 71) group were considered in the final analysis. At baseline, the SPPB scores did not differ between the 2 groups. After 12 wk, the treated group had a significantly better total SPPB score (Δ = 0.41 ± 0.24 points; P = 0.03), chair stand times (Δ = -1.31 ± 0.33 s; P < 0.0001), and 4-m walking speeds (Δ = 0.14 ± 0.03 m/s; P = 0.006) than did the control group. These findings were more evident in participants with a magnesium dietary intake lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowance. No significant differences emerged for the secondary outcomes investigated, and no serious adverse effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily magnesium oxide supplementation for 12 wk seems to improve physical performance in healthy elderly women. These findings suggest a role for magnesium supplementation in preventing or delaying the age-related decline in physical performance.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Veronese
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berton
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bolzetta
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Rui
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Egle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perissinotto
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Elena Debora
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Toffanello
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bano
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pizzato
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miotto
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coin
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manzato
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Medicine-DIMED, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (NV, LB, SC, FB, MDR, EDT, GB, SP, FM, AC, EM, and GS), and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (EP).
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sergi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008277:Magnesium Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; D008274:Magnesium