A study was conducted to determine the effect of whey protein (WP) supplementation on muscular strength, hypertrophy, and muscle quality in older women preconditioned to resistance training (RT).

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled study that included 31 older women (67.4 ± 4.0 years, 62.0 ± 6.9 kg).Fifteen women were randomized to receive 35 g of WP while 16 women received 35 g of PLA over a period of 12 weeks while undergoing an RT program thrice a week. Investigators assessed dietary intake, one-repetition maximum test, and skeletal muscle mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after the intervention.

Significant improvements were noted in both the study groups in skeletal muscle mass and total strength, with the WP group exhibiting greater increases (p < .05) in comparison with PLA group(skeletal muscle mass: WP = +4.8% vs. PLA = +2.3%; strength: WP = +8.7% vs. PLA = +4.9%; Fig. 1). Muscle quality also increased in both the groups (WP = +2.9% vs. PLA = +1.5%; Fig. 1).

WP supplementation, in association with RT, was found to inducegreater improvements in both strength and hypertrophy in older women preconditioned to RT.

1: Skeletal muscle mass; 2: Strength; 3: Muscle quality

Reference

1. Sugihara Junior P, Ribeiro AS, Nabuco HCG, et al. Effects of Whey Protein Supplementation Associated With Resistance Training on Muscular Strength, Hypertrophy, and Muscle Quality in Preconditioned Older Women.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018 Sep 1;28(5):528-535.