Whey protein and high-volume resistance training in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the combined effects of whey protein supplementation and low intensity, high-volume resistance training in healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women (n=12; age: 57 ± 4.7 years, weight: 75 ± 17.4 kg, height: 163 ± 5.5 cm, body mass index: 28.3 ± 7.0) consumed whey protein (4 x 10 gram aliquots) or placebo (maltodextrin) during unilateral resistance training sessions 2 days per week (Monday, Thursday) and consumed the opposite beverage during training the other side of the body on alternating days (Tuesday, Friday) for 10 weeks. Participants performed 3 sets at 30% baseline 1-repetition maximum (1RM) to volitional muscle fatigue for 4 exercises (leg curl, biceps curl, leg extension, triceps extension). Prior to and following training, assessments were made for upper and lower limb lean tissue mass (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle thickness of the elbow and knee flexors and extensors (ultrasound) and muscle strength (1RM leg curl, biceps curl, leg extension, triceps extension).


RESULTS
There was a significant increase over time for muscle strength (biceps curl, leg extension, triceps extension; P = 0.006) and muscle thickness (elbow flexors and extensors; P = 0.022) with no differences between whey protein and placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
High volume resistance training is effective for improving some indices of muscle mass and strength in postmenopausal women, but the strategic ingestion of whey protein during training sessions does not augment this response.
Darren G. Candow, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, 3737 Wascana Parkway, University of Regina, Regina SK S4S 0A2, T: 306-585-4906, F: 306-585-4854, E: Darren.Candow@uregina.ca.
K D
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Weisgarber
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Candow
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Farthing
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011134:Polysaccharides; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D000067816:Whey Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
D011134:Polysaccharides; D000067816:Whey Proteins; C008315:maltodextrin