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The anabolic response to resistance exercise and a protein-rich meal is not diminished by age

  • Response to Exercise and Protein is Not Reduced by Age
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

The synergistic effect of resistance exercise and protein ingestion on muscle protein anabolism in young adults has been well described. However, it is unclear if this relationship is maintained in older adults who are at greater risk of sarcopenic muscle loss. To this end, we sought to determine if the synergistic response to a bout of resistance exercise and a protein-rich lean beef meal was altered by age.

Setting

The University of Texas Medical Branch, Clinical Research Center, Galveston, Texas.

Participants

Healthy young (n=7, 29±3 y) and older (n=7, 67±2 y) adults.

Design

Mixed muscle fractional synthesis rate (FSR) was calculated during a 3 h post-absorptive/rest period and again during a 5 h period following ingestion of a protein-rich meal (340 g lean beef) and bout of resistance exercise (6 sets of 8 repetitions of isotonic knee extension exercise at 80% one repetition maximum).

Measurements

Venous blood samples and vastus lateralis muscle biopsy samples were obtained during a primed (2.0 µmol/kg) constant infusion (0.08 µmol·kg−1min1) of L- [ring-13C6] phenylalanine.

Results

Mixed muscle FSR increased by approximately 108% in both young [pre: 0.073+0.008; post: 0.156±0.021 (SE) %/h, p<0.001] and older adults (pre: 0.075+0.004; post: 0.152+0.017 %/h, p=0.003) following the meal and resistance exercise bout.

Conclusion

Aging does not diminish the increase in muscle protein synthesis following a high-quality protein rich meal and bout of resistance exercise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA

    T. B. Symonsi, M. M. Mamerow & Douglas Paddon-Jones

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA

    M. Sheffield-Moore & Douglas Paddon-Jones

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA

    Douglas Paddon-Jones

  4. The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd Galveston, Tex. 77555-1144, Texas, USA

    Douglas Paddon-Jones

Authors
  1. T. B. Symonsi
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  2. M. Sheffield-Moore
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  3. M. M. Mamerow
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  4. R. R. Wolfe
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  5. Douglas Paddon-Jones
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Correspondence to Douglas Paddon-Jones.

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Symonsi, T.B., Sheffield-Moore, M., Mamerow, M.M. et al. The anabolic response to resistance exercise and a protein-rich meal is not diminished by age. J Nutr Health Aging 15, 376–381 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0319-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0319-z

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