Effects and feasibility of exercise therapy combined with branched chain amino acid supplementation on muscle strengthening in frail and pre-frail elderly people requiring long-term care: A crossover trial
Takashi Ikeda Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 05 January 2016.
This study examined the effects and feasibility of the twice weekly combined therapy of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and exercise on physical function improvement in frail and pre-frail elderly people requiring long-term care.
Using crossover design, the combination of exercise and nutritional interventions was carried out twice a week during cycles A (3 months) and B (3 months), and exercise intervention alone was performed during the washout period. Exercise intervention entailed the following five sets: three sets of muscle training at 30% load of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), one set of aerobic exercise, and one set of balance training. For the nutritional intervention, 6 g of BCAAs or 6 g of maltodextrin were consumed 10 minutes before starting the exercise. We determined upper and lower limb isometric strength, Functional reach test (FRT), Timed Up and Go test and activity level.
In the comparison between the BCAA group and the control group after crossover, the improvement rates in gross lower limb muscle strength (leg press: LP, knee extension) and FRT were significantly greater in the BCAA group, and these improvement rates were greater by approximately 10%. In the comparison between different orders of BCAA administration, significant effects were shown in LP in both groups only when BCAA was given.
By combining BCAA intake and exercise therapy, significant improvements in gross lower limb muscle strength and dynamic balance ability were achieved.
