Resistance training (RT) and increased protein intake can potentially improve health in older adults. Nabuco et al determined the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation either immediately pre- or post-RT on skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women.

Overall, 70 older women were randomized to one of three groups: 24 women were included in whey protein pre-RT and placebo post-RT group (WP-PLA), 23 formed placebo pre-RT and whey protein post-RT group (PLA-WP), and 23 were included in placebo pre- and post-RT (PLA-PLA). Each group was given 35 g of WP or PLA. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (three times per week, with 3 x 8-12 repetition maximum). Investigators evaluated body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and dietary intake before and after intervention. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for repeated measures, with baseline scores as covariates were used for data analysis.

There was a time vs. group interaction (p < 0.05), with greater increases in WP-PLA and PLA-WP compared with PLA-PLA for SMM (WP-PLA = 3.4%; PLA-WP = 4.2%; PLA-PLA = 2.0%), strength (WP-PLA = 8.1%; PLA-WP = 8.3%; PLA-PLA = 7.0%), and the 10-m walk test (WP-PLA = -10.8%; PLA-WP = -11.8%; PLA-PLA = -4.3%) (Fig. 1).

The findings thus reveal that whey protein supplementation promotes increases in SMM, muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women.

1: Skeletal muscle mass; 2: Muscular strength; 3: 10-m walk test

Reference

1. Nabuco HCG, Tomeleri CM, Sugihara Junior P, et al. Effects of Whey Protein Supplementation Pre- or Post-Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Muscular Strength, and Functional Capacity in Pre-Conditioned Older Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2018 May 3;10(5). pii: E563.