Low-Dose Lemon Myrtle Supplementation Enhances Muscle Hypertrophy in Older Adults Undergoing Low-Load Resistance...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Previous research indicated lemon myrtle (LM) extract combined with resistance training boosts muscle size.
• This study investigated a lower LM dose (125 mg/day) with resistance training in older adults.
• The persistence of effects during detraining was also evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if half the conventional dose of LM extract enhances muscle hypertrophy in older adults undergoing low-load resistance training.
• To assess the maintenance of muscle hypertrophy after a 6-week detraining period.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 60 Japanese adults (≥65 years).
• Participants performed low-load, bodyweight resistance training twice weekly.
• Groups received either placebo or 125 mg/day LM extract; anterior thigh muscle thickness was measured pre- and post-intervention and post-detraining.

Main Results:

• The LM group exhibited significantly greater increases in anterior thigh muscle thickness compared to the placebo group.
• Muscle hypertrophy gains were not maintained during the 6-week detraining period.

Conclusions:

• Supplementation with lemon myrtle (LM) extract at 125 mg/day effectively enhances skeletal muscle hypertrophy in older adults when combined with 12 weeks of low-load resistance training.
• LM supplementation did not prevent the loss of muscle mass during the subsequent detraining phase.