Effects of whey proteins and carbohydrates on the efficacy of resistance training in elderly people: double blind, randomised controlled trial.

• Published in: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Main Authors: Arnarson, A, Gudny Geirsdottir, O, Ramel, A, Briem, K, Jonsson, P V, Thorsdottir, I
• Other Authors: Univ Iceland, Natl Univ Hosp Iceland, Unit Nutr Res, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Univ Iceland, Fac Food Sci & Nutr, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Univ Iceland, Natl Univ Hosp Iceland, Iceland Gerontol Res Ctr, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Univ Iceland, Fac Med, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Univ Iceland, Dept Phys Therapy, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Univ Iceland, Natl Univ Hosp Iceland, Fac Med, Dept Geriatr, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2013
• Subjects: Aldraðir; Líkamsþjálfun; Heilsuefling; Fæðubótarefni; Kolvetni; Aged; 80 and over; Body Composition; Body Fluid Compartments; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Proteins; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Milk Proteins; Muscle Strength; Muscle; Skeletal; Physical Fitness; Resistance Training; Walking; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/313379; https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.40

To access publisher's full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field. A few previous studies indicate that protein supplementation increases gains in muscle mass and strength during a resistance exercise program. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether whey protein supplementation results in greater increases in lean body mass, muscle strength and physical function in elderly individuals during 12 weeks of resistance exercise when compared to isocaloric carbohydrate supplementation. A total of 161 men and women, 65-91 years old, participated in a randomized, controlled, double-blind intervention study, involving dietary supplementation and a 12-week resistance exercise program, designed to increase muscle mass and strength of all major muscle groups. Participants exercised three times a week and received either 20 g of whey protein (n=83) or isocaloric carbohydrate (n=78) in liquid form immediately after each workout. Data were obtained at baseline and end point. The primary outcomes, lean body mass, strength and physical function increased significantly during the course of the study. Type of dietary supplementation did not influence gains in lean body mass (P=0.365), quadriceps strength (P=0.776) or performance during a 6-min walk (P=0.726) or a timed up-and-go test (P=0.151). Twenty participants discontinued the intervention. Ingestion of 20 g of whey protein immediately after resistance exercise three times per week, does not lead to greater gains in lean body mass, strength and physical function in elderly people with sufficient energy and protein intakes when compared to isocaloric carbohydrate. Icelandic Technology Development Fund/071323008 University of Iceland Landspitali University Hospital Research Fund Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund