title: Twelve weeks' progressive resistance training combined with protein supplementation beyond habitual intakes increases upper leg lean tissue mass, muscle strength and extended gait speed in healthy older women.
abstract: The age-related decline in functional capability is preceded by a reduction in muscle quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the combined effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) and protein supplementation beyond habitual intakes on upper leg lean tissue mass (LTM), muscle quality and functional capability in healthy 50-70 years women. In a single-blinded, randomized, controlled design, 57 healthy older women (age 61.1 ± 5.1 years, 1.61 ± 0.65 m, 65.3 ± 15.3 kg) consumed 0.33 g/kg body mass of a milk-based protein matrix (PRO) for 12 weeks. Of the 57 women, 29 also engaged in a PRT intervention (PRO + PRT). In comparison to the PRO group (n = 28), those in the PRO + PRT group had an increase in upper leg LTM [0.04 (95% CI -0.07 to 0.01) kg vs. 0.13 (95% CI 0.08-0.18) kg, P = 0.027], as measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; an increase in knee extensor (KE) torque [-1.6 (95% CI -7.3 to 4.4 N m) vs. 10.2 (95% CI 4.3-15.8 N m), P = 0.007], as measured from a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (Con-Trex MJ; CMV AG); and an increase in extended gait speed [-0.01 (95% CI -0.52-0.04) m s-1vs. 0.10 (95% CI 0.05-0.22) m s-1, P = 0.001] as measured from a maximal 900 m effort. There was no difference between groups in the time taken to complete 5 chair rises or the number of chair rises performed in 30 s (P > 0.05). PRT in healthy older women ingesting a dietary protein supplement is an effective strategy to improve upper leg LTM, KE torque and extended gait speed in healthy older women.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Health Research Group, School of Clinical and Applied Science, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS13HE, UK. peter.francis@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.|Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. peter.francis@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.|Food for Health Ireland, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. peter.francis@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9720-6253
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Food for Health Ireland, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mc Cormack
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Food for Health Ireland, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Clodagh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toomey
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Food for Health Ireland, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Unit/CSTAR @ UL, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emmet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kerin
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Human Science Research Unit, Center for Intervention in Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.|Food for Health Ireland, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jakeman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000072797:Walking Speed; D014891:Weight Lifting
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: Functional capability; Healthy aging; Muscle strength; Sarcopenia