A higher protein intake is associated with improved muscle strength in elite senior athletes
Nutrition Available online 15 May 2017 Filippo Giorgio Di Girolamo
Highlights
• Optimal protein intake for elderly subjects, on regular exercise training is debated.
• Master senior athletes are a suitable model for the assessment of the effects of different levels of protein intake.
• Protein intakes was associated with physical performance and biochemical parameters.
• A higher protein intake in elite senior athletes is associated with a higher muscle strength.
The optimal protein intake for elderly subjects, on regular exercise training is not yet clearly defined. We tested the hypothesis that protein intake level is associated with muscle strength in elderly elite athletes.
Research Methods & Procedures.
We evaluated 50 elite senior athletes (38 males and 12 females) participating to the European Master Games 2011, through an observational cross-sectional study. Subjects were divided in two groups, i.e. Lower (LPI) or Higher (HPI) protein intake, according to the median value of their Urinary-Urea-Nitrogen to Urinary-Creatinine ratio (i.e., 8.8 g/L), as marker of protein intake. Differences in protein consumption between LPI and HPI were confirmed by a dietary interview. Body composition (bioimpedance), muscle strength and hematochemical indices were also evaluated.
Results
LPI and HPI groups were homogeneous for age [72 (68-74) and 71 (68-74) yrs, respectively], fat-free mass index [18.4 (17.0-19.4) and 18.2 (17.0-19.1) kg/m2], body fat [18.3 (12.3-20.7) and 16.6 (13.6-21.2) %] and glomerular filtration rate [57.7 (53.8-64.9) and 62.7 (56.1-69.3) ml/min/1.73m2]. HPI group showed greater leg and trunk muscle strength (N) as compared to the LPI group [left leg extension, 339 (238-369) vs. 454 (273-561), respectively, p<0.05; right leg extension, 319 (249-417) vs. 432 (334-635), p≤0.05; trunk extension, 435 (370-467) vs. 464 (390-568), p≤0.05].
Conclusions
A higher protein intake in elite senior athletes is associated with a greater muscle strength.