The interaction between nutrition and exercise for promoting health and performance

Area of Science:

• Nutrition and exercise science
• Gerontology
• Metabolic health

Background:

• The Nutrition Society Spring Conference 2017 focused on nutrition and exercise interactions for healthy ageing, cognitive function, and metabolic health.
• Public health concerns include obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sarcopenia (age-related skeletal muscle loss).
• Historical and current methodologies for measuring exercise energetics and energy balance were reviewed.

Framework:

• Symposia explored skeletal muscle's role in ageing, comparing animal and plant-based protein sources for mitigating muscle mass decline.
• The link between nutrition, exercise, and brain function was discussed.
• Equine and human models illustrated the relationship between nutrition/exercise and insulin resistance.

Implementation:

• Research presented explored the metabolic response to nutrition and exercise.
• Studies examined the role of diet and physical activity in older men and postmenopausal women.
• The conference highlighted the importance of protein sources in combating age-related muscle loss.

Implications:

• The combined effect of diet and physical activity significantly enhances human health and performance.
• Understanding nutrition-exercise interactions is crucial for managing metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia.
• This research supports public health strategies for promoting healthy ageing and preventing chronic diseases.