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Contribution of Protein Intake and Concurrent Exercise to Skeletal Muscle Quality with Aging

  • Original Research
  • Clinics and Public Health
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Abstract

Background

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) and intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) to define skeletal muscle quality is of fundamental importance in order to understand aging and inactivity-related loss of muscle mass.

Objectives

This study examined factors associated with lower-extremity skeletal muscle quality in healthy, younger, and middle-aged adults.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and Participants

Ninety-eight participants (53% female) were classified as younger (20–35 years, n=50) or middle-aged (50–65 years, n=48) as well as sedentary (≤1 day per week) or active (≥3 days per week) on self-reported concurrent exercise (aerobic and resistance).

Measurements

All participants wore an accelerometer for seven days, recorded a three-day food diary, and participated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower limbs. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was determined by tracing the knee extensors (KE) and plantar flexors, while muscle quality was established through the determination of FCSA and IMAT via color thresholding.

Results

One-way analysis of variance and stepwise regression models were performed to predict FCSA and IMAT. KE-IMAT (cm2) was significantly higher among sedentary (3.74 ± 1.93) vs. active (1.85 ± 0.56) and middle-aged (3.14 ± 2.05) vs. younger (2.74 ± 1.25) (p < 0.05). Protein intake (g•kg•day−1) was significantly higher in active (1.63 ± 0.55) vs. sedentary (1.19 ± 0.40) (p < 0.05). Sex, age, concurrent exercise training status, and protein intake were significant predictors of KE FCSA (R2 = 0.71, p < 0.01), while concurrent exercise training status and light physical activity predicted 33% of the variance in KE IMAT (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Concurrent exercise training, dietary protein intake, and light physical activity are significant determinants of skeletal muscle health and require further investigation to mitigate aging and inactivity-related loss of muscle quality.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Rachel Iverson and Dan Streeter.

Funding

Source of Funding: We acknowledge research funding support from Sanford Health/NDSU Collaborative Research Seed Grant Program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Nutrition, & Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

    Nathan D. Dicks, C. J. Kotarsky, K. A. Trautman, A. M. Barry, J. F. Keith, S. Mitchell, W. Byun, S. N. Stastny & K. J. Hackney

  2. Concordia College, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Exercise Science, 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN, 56562, USA

    Nathan D. Dicks

  3. Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, USA

    A. M. Barry

  4. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

    J. F. Keith

  5. Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA

    S. Mitchell

  6. Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    W. Byun

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  1. Nathan D. Dicks
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  2. C. J. Kotarsky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nathan D. Dicks.

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Conflicts of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest.

Ethics declaration: The host university’s Institutional Review Board for the protection of human participants approved all procedures.

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Dicks, N.D., Kotarsky, C.J., Trautman, K.A. et al. Contribution of Protein Intake and Concurrent Exercise to Skeletal Muscle Quality with Aging. J Frailty Aging 9, 51–56 (2020). https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2019.40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2019.40

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