The influence of dietary protein intake on the responsiveness of skeletal muscle to resistance exercise training in older adults

• Main Author: Cardon, Danielle Kay
• Published: University of Birmingham 2018
• Subjects: Q Science (General)
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.760479

Sarcopenia can have serious consequences for health and quality of life. As the main drivers of anabolism, resistance exercise and protein ingestion may potentially be targets for interventions to alleviate these effects. Hence, two systematic reviews were conducted. Results of Chapter 2 indicated no augmentation of the effects of RET when older adults were supplemented with protein. Chapter 3 aimed to assess the effects of protein timing and distribution, but identified only six studies indicating a lack of research in the area. In Chapter 4, habitual protein intake in older adults was assessed to identify potential areas for improvement. While total intake was sufficient, distribution across meals was highly skewed, which is suboptimal according to current thinking. Chapter 5 compared effects of even and uneven protein distributions, alongside two weeks of resistance exercise, in women ≥65 years. A stable isotope protocol (deuterated water) was used to measure muscle protein synthesis. There was no significant difference in MPS between even (trained leg 1.02%.day-1) and uneven (1.16%.day-) diets, or in muscle strength change. These results do not support the theory of an optimal protein distribution based on the maximal MPS threshold dose, although there is potential for future research.