Effect of Nutritional Care and Whey Protein Supplementation on the Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults after Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutritional care and whey protein supplementation on the body composition and physical function in older adults immediately after combined resistance and aerobic exercise. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 24 community-dwelling older adults (6 men, 18 women; mean age, 66.2+or-4.8 years) were classified into the following two groups: the whey protein supplementation group (PRO; n=12) and the non-caloric placebo group (PLA; n=12). The training program comprised combined resistance and aerobic exercise twice every week for 9 weeks. The subjects ingested the nutrient supplement immediately after each training session. Adequate nutritional status of each subject was maintained by a managerial dietician during the intervention period. Before and after the 9-week intervention period, we measured the body composition and physical fitness parameters such as the knee extension strength and maximum walking speed, and the subjects took the Timed up and Go (TUG) test. Results: After the 9-week intervention period, the PRO group showed greater improvement in the lean body mass (LBM), knee extension strength, maximum walking speed, and the TUG test (p<0.01). The PRO group showed higher ALBM (p<0.01), Aknee extension strength (p<0.05), Amaximum walking speed (p<0.01), and ATUG (p<0.05) than the PLA group. Conclusion: These results suggest that nutritional care and whey protein ingestion after combined exercise in older adults improves skeletal muscle and physical function.