Effect of Low Intensity Exercise and Protein Intake on Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis in Elderly

Bispebjerg Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis in Elderly; Protein Kinetics; Sarcopenia

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Protein; Other: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01640145

BBH98

Details and patient eligibility

About

Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is crucial during lifespan to retain health and functional autonomy. Sarcopenia, being the loss of muscle mass during aging, is a well-known phenomenon in the elderly and a major challenge viewed from an individual, and a socioeconomic point of view. Nevertheless, several studies have proved muscle tissue to be markedly affected by physical activity and nutritional interventions even at old age. Recently, a study in young individuals showed that an acute bout of easily tolerated low intensity exercise can prolong the muscle building effects of a milk protein intake compared to a non-exercised situation. Therefore, the major aim of the present project is to evaluate, whether a low intensity exercise regime in conjunction with milk protein supplementation can induce positive adaptations on parameters related to muscle size and function in elderly.

The study focuses on the acute muscle protein synthesis response to low intensity exercise and protein supplementation measured with stable isotope tracer techniques. It is hypothesized that light muscle activity can augment and prolong the effects of protein feeding.

If a light resistance exercise protocol as investigated in the present project can prove beneficial, elderly, frail elderly, and individuals undergoing rehabilitation can challenge sarcopenia in a new and tolerable way.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male
• >65 year old
• Healthy
• BMI <28

Exclusion criteria

• Smoker
• Type II diabetic
• Intake of medicine or supplements which will affect skeletal muscle protein synthesis
• Alcohol intake >21 units/week.
• Frequent exercise or hard physical labor

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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30 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Carbohydrate

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Protein continous boluses

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Protein

Other: Exercise

Protein 2 boluses

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Protein

Other: Exercise