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Effects of Protein Supplementation in Older Adults Undergoing Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Older individuals present reductions in muscle mass and physical function, as well as a blunted muscle protein synthesis response to amino acid administration and physical activity. Although resistance training is an effective intervention to slow down muscle impairments in the elderly, there is no consensus whether a combination with protein supplementation could offer additional benefits to an older population.

Objective

We aimed to systematically summarize and quantify whether protein supplementation could optimize the effects of resistance training on muscle mass and strength in an aged population.

Design

A structured literature search was conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane, EMBASE and LILACS databases. The search had no period or language restrictions. Inclusion criteria comprised study design (randomized controlled trials—RCTs), sample mean age (60 years and over) and intervention (a resistance training program for a period of 6 weeks or longer combined with protein or amino acids supplementation). Two independent reviewers performed the study selection and data extraction. Continuous data on fat-free mass, muscle mass and muscle strength were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results

Of the 540 articles reviewed, 29 eligible articles underwent full-text evaluation. Nine RCTs (462 subjects) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean age of the participants ranged from 61 to 79 years old. Protein supplementation protocols varied widely throughout the studies. Three studies used quantities related to the body mass of the participants and the other six trials provided supplements in daily amounts, independently of subjects’ body masses. Overall, protein supplementation in combination with resistance training was associated with gains in fat-free mass, resulting in a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.23 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.05–0.42]. However, protein supplementation was not associated with changes in muscle mass (0.14, 95 % CI −0.05 to 0.32) or muscle strength (0.13, 95 % CI −0.06 to 0.32).

Limitations

Studies among the very elderly population are scarce. The variation regarding the supplementation protocol, namely the different protein sources, amounts and timing of ingestion, also made it harder to compare the results. The general quality of the studies was low, reflecting increased risk of bias in some studies. Despite these limitations, this systematic review provides a general overview of the role of protein supplementation with no other added macronutrients to augment muscle mass and strength during resistance training in older adults.

Conclusion

Combining protein supplementation with resistance training is effective for eliciting gains in fat-free mass among older adults, but does not seem to increase muscle mass or strength.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS - Brazil), protocol number 1760-2551/12-3, and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (PNPD 2818/2011, CAPES-Brazil). Sponsors had no role in the study design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; the writing of the report; and the decision to submit the paper for publication. Authors had full access to the analyzed data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of data analysis. No conflicts of interest are declared by the authors.

The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP, 90050-170, Brazil

    Débora Finger

  2. Postgraduate Program of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP, 90050-170, Brazil

    Fernanda Reistenbach Goltz & Luis Henrique Telles Rosa

  3. Exercise Pathophysiology Research Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Cardiovascular Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP, 90035-903, Brazil

    Daniel Umpierre

  4. Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul/Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Av. Princesa Isabel, 370, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP, 99620-000, Brazil

    Elisabeth Meyer

  5. Department of Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, sala 611, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP, 90050-170, Brazil

    Cláudia Dornelles Schneider

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  1. Débora Finger
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Correspondence to Cláudia Dornelles Schneider.

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Finger, D., Goltz, F.R., Umpierre, D. et al. Effects of Protein Supplementation in Older Adults Undergoing Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 45, 245–255 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0269-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0269-4

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