Sat Aug. 24, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) --  Resistance training is known as an effective treatment to augment skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly people.  A new study in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise suggests dietary protein supplement ation does not further help healthy elderly men and women adapt prolonged resistance-type training.

Marika Leenders from Maastricht University Medical Centre in Maastricht, PAYS-BAS and colleagues conducted the study and found men and women who received resistance-type exercise training had their one-RM strength increased by more than 40% in both study and control groups.

It was also observed that leg muscle mass and quadriceps cross-sectional area increased in both study and control groups. Type II muscle fiber size also increased in both placebo and protein groups.  Protein supplementation improved sit-to-stand by 18% in women and 19% in men. 

The researchers concluded "Prolonged resistance-type exercise training increases skeletal muscle mass and strength, augments functional capacity, improves glycemia and lipidemia, and reduces blood pressure in healthy elderly men and women. Additional protein supplementation (15 g•d?1) does not further increase muscle mass, strength, and/or functional capacity."

In the study, 31 healthy men and 29 healthy women aged 70 years plus minus one year were randomly assigned to a progressive, 24-week resistance type exercise training program with or without protein supplementation in a dose of 15 grams per day.  Muscle hypertrophy and limb and muscle fiber levels  along with strength and functional capacity were assessed.

The common protein supplements include whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, whey protein hydrolysates, soy isolates, and egg white protein, gelatins which are known to help build muscle. (JIMMY DOWNS)