Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Jan;53(1):183-191.
doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002429.

Exercise and Protein Effects on Strength and Function with Weight Loss in Older Women

Ellen M Evans  1 , Chad R Straight  1 , Rachelle A Reed  1 , Alison C Berg  2 , David A Rowe  3 , Mary Ann Johnson  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise and Protein Effects on Strength and Function with Weight Loss in Older Women

Ellen M Evans et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Obesity negatively affects lower extremity physical function (LEPF) in older adults. Exercise and a higher protein diet are both known to positively and independently affect body composition, muscle strength, and LEPF during weight loss; however, their potential interactive effects have not been well characterized in older women.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relative efficacy of a higher protein diet with or without exercise to improve body composition, muscle strength, and LEPF in older inactive overweight/obese women after weight loss.

Methods: Postmenopausal women (body mass index = 31.1 ± 5.1 kg·m, 69.2 ± 3.6 yr) completed a 6-month weight loss program after randomization to three groups (n = 72 randomized; 15% dropout): 1) higher protein diet (PRO, ~30% energy from protein; n = 20), 2) PRO plus exercise (PRO + EX; n = 19), or 3) a conventional protein control diet plus EX (CON + EX, ~18% energy from protein; n = 22). EX was supervised, multicomponent (aerobic, muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility), and three sessions per week. Body composition was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, leg strength by isokinetic dynamometry, and LEPF via 6-min walk, 8-ft up and go, and 30-s chair stand tests.

Results: Changes in weight (-7.5 ± 4.1 kg; -9.2% ± 4.8%), fat mass, and leg lean mass did not differ among groups (all P > 0.50). Despite weight loss, muscle strength improved in the exercise groups (PRO + EX and CON + EX) but it declined in the PRO group (P = 0.008). For all LEPF measures, the PRO group had attenuated improvements compared with both PRO + EX and CON + EX (all P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Exercise during weight loss is critical to preserve strength and enhance LEPF; however, a higher protein diet does not appear to influence body composition, muscle strength, or LEPF changes when combined with multicomponent exercise.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01893684.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Villareal DT, Apovian CM, Kushner RF, Klein S; American Society for Nutrition; NAASO, The Obesity Society. Obesity in older adults: technical review and position statement of the American Society for Nutrition and NAASO, The Obesity Society. Obes Res . 2005;13(11):1849–63.
    1. Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in obesity among adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA . 2016;315(21):2284–91.
    1. Vincent HK, Vincent KR, Lamb KM. Obesity and mobility disability in the older adult. Obes Rev . 2010;11(8):568–79.
    1. Villareal DT, Chode S, Parimi N, et al. Weight loss, exercise, or both and physical function in obese older adults. N Engl J Med . 2011;364(13):1218–29.
    1. Paddon-Jones D, Short KR, Campbell WW, Volpi E, Wolfe RR. Role of dietary protein in the sarcopenia of aging. Am J Clin Nutr . 2008;87(5):1562s–6s.

Publication types

Associated data