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Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Dietary protein and exercise training in ageing
1Basic and Clinical Myology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. rkoopman@unimelb.edu.au
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Elderly individuals experience muscle loss due to anabolic resistance, impairing protein synthesis response. Resistance exercise and specific protein intake can combat this age-related decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Muscle Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Aging leads to decreased skeletal muscle mass and strength, increasing chronic disease risk.
- Age-related muscle loss stems from imbalanced muscle protein synthesis and degradation.
- Older adults may exhibit 'anabolic resistance,' a reduced protein synthesis response to stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms behind age-related muscle mass decline.
- To explore the concept of anabolic resistance in elderly individuals.
- To identify effective lifestyle interventions for mitigating age-related muscle loss.
Main Methods:
- Examining the dose-response relationship between myofibrillar protein synthesis and anabolic stimuli (amino acids, exercise) in the elderly.
- Reviewing the effects of long-term resistance exercise training.
- Analyzing the impact of different protein types (e.g., hydrolysates) on muscle protein synthesis.
Main Results:
- Elderly subjects show a blunted myofibrillar protein synthesis response to essential amino acids and resistance exercise.
- Long-term resistance exercise training effectively increases skeletal muscle mass and functional performance in older adults.
- Protein hydrolysates may offer greater stimulation of muscle protein synthesis due to faster digestion and absorption.
Conclusions:
- Anabolic resistance is a significant contributor to age-related skeletal muscle mass loss.
- Resistance exercise and tailored nutrition are crucial therapeutic strategies for the elderly.
- Further research is needed to optimize nutrition and exercise interactions for maximizing benefits in older adults.
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