Whey Protein Supplementation and Resistance Training in Older Women With Sarcopenic Obesity.

Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation Combined With Resistance Training on Body Composition, Muscular Strength, Functional Capacity, and Plasma-metabolism Biomarkers in Older Women With Sarcopenic Obesity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of whey protein following resistance training on body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and plasma-metabolism biomarkers in older women with sarcopenic obesity.

This two-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was carried out over a period of 16 weeks. At the beginning and end of the experiment, two weeks were allocated for evaluations consisting of anthropometric (weeks 2 and 16), body composition (weeks 2 and 16), one repetition maximum tests (weeks 1 and 15), functional capacity tests (weeks 1 and 15), blood samples (weeks 2 and 16) and dietary intake measurements (weeks 1 and 15). The anthropometric, body composition, blood samples and dietary intake measurements were carried out in a temperature-controlled room (22-24 °C), and the RT sessions were conducted at the university training facility. Recruitment was carried out through newspapers, radio advertising, and home delivery of leaflets in the central area and residential neighborhoods. All participants completed health history and physical activity questionnaires and were included in the study if they met the following inclusion criteria: 60 years old or more, physically independent, free from cardiac or orthopedic dysfunction that would prevent them from performing the prescribed exercise or exercise testing associated with the study, not receiving hormonal replacement therapy, and completed a previous 8-week RT program. In this study, only women with SO were included. SO was defined as a body fat mass ≥ 35%(29) combined with appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) less than <15.02 kg(30), assessed by dual x-ray energy absorptiometry (DXA). Participants underwent a diagnostic graded exercise stress test with a 12-lead electrocardiogram reviewed by a cardiologist and were released with no restrictions for participation in this investigation. A blinded researcher was responsible for generating random numbers for participant allocation. Both groups were submitted to the same RT program and all participants completed the experiment. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants after a detailed description of investigation procedures was provided. This investigation was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local University Ethics Committee The Shapiro Wilk test was used to test data distribution. Data are presented as means, standard deviation, and z-score. The student's independent t-test and chi-square test were used to compare groups regarding the general characteristics and clinical/medical history (categorical variables). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was used to assess between group comparisons. The effect size (ES) was calculated to verify the magnitude of the differences by Cohen's d, where an ES of 0.20-0.49 was considered as small, 0.50-0.79 as moderate, and ≥ 0.80 as large(41). The Z-score of the percentage changes (from pre- to post-training) of the raw data for each parameter was calculated, as well as a total Z-score, derived from all the components. To verify the differences between groups in total Z-scores, an independent T test was also applied. For all statistical analyses, significance was accepted at P < 0.05. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Participants received a dose of 35 grams of whey protein after resistance training (RT). Participants were personally supervised by physical education professionals with substantial RT experience. The sessions were performed 3 times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with 3 sets of 08-12 repetition maximums. The RT program was a whole-body program with eight exercises, including: chest press, seated row, triceps push-down, preacher curl, horizontal leg press, knee extension, leg curl and seated calf raise. Participants were afforded a 1 to 2 min rest interval between sets and 2 to 3 min between each exercise. The training load was consistent with the prescribed number of repetitions for the three sets of each exercise.

Participants received a dose of 35 grams of maltodextrin after resistance training (RT). Participants were personally supervised by physical education professionals with substantial RT experience. The sessions were performed 3 times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with 3 sets of 08-12 repetition maximums. The RT program was a whole-body program with eight exercises, including: chest press, seated row, triceps push-down, preacher curl, horizontal leg press, knee extension, leg curl and seated calf raise. Participants were afforded a 1 to 2 min rest interval between sets and 2 to 3 min between each exercise. The training load was consistent with the prescribed number of repetitions for the three sets of each exercise.

This two-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was carried out over a period of 16 weeks. At the beginning and end of the experiment, two weeks were allocated for evaluations consisting of anthropometric (weeks 2 and 16), body composition (weeks 2 and 16), one repetition maximum tests (weeks 1 and 15), functional capacity tests (weeks 1 and 15), blood samples (weeks 2 and 16) and dietary intake measurements (weeks 1 and 15). The anthropometric, body composition, blood samples and dietary intake measurements were carried out in a temperature-controlled room (22-24 °C), and the RT sessions were conducted at the university training facility.

This two-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was carried out over a period of 16 weeks. At the beginning and end of the experiment, two weeks were allocated for evaluations consisting of anthropometric (weeks 2 and 16), body composition (weeks 2 and 16), one repetition maximum tests (weeks 1 and 15), functional capacity tests (weeks 1 and 15), blood samples (weeks 2 and 16) and dietary intake measurements (weeks 1 and 15). The anthropometric, body composition, blood samples and dietary intake measurements were carried out in a temperature-controlled room (22-24 °C), and the RT sessions were conducted at the university training facility.

Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Lunar Prodigy) was used to assess lean mass and fat mass and its segments. The total skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was estimated by the predictive equation proposed by Kim et al. (Kim et al., 2004). The results are presented in kg.

Maximal dynamic strength was evaluated using the 1RM test assessed on chest press, knee extension, and preacher curl exercises performed in this exact order. Testing for each exercise was preceded by a warm-up set (6-10 repetitions), with approximately 50% of the estimated load used in the first attempt of the 1RM. This warm-up was also used to familiarize the subjects with the testing equipment and lifting technique. The testing procedure was initiated 2 minutes after the warm-up. The subjects were instructed to try to accomplish two repetitions with the imposed load in three attempts in both exercises. The rest period was 3 to 5 min between each attempt, and 5 min between exercises. The 1RM was recorded as the last resistance lifted in which the subject was able to complete only one single maximal execution

Tumor Necrosis Factor -α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), according to the specifications of the manufacturer and performed in a microplate reader Perkin Elmer, model EnSpire (USA). All samples were determined in duplicate to guarantee the precision of the results. The results are presented in picograms per milliliter (pg/ml).

Measurements of serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP were carried out using a biochemical auto-analyzer system (Dimension Max - Siemens Dade Behring) according to established methods in the literature consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations. The results are presented in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL).

For measurements, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were determined in the plasma using a semiautomatic method. AOPP concentrations were expressed as micromoles per liter (μmol/L). Total plasma antioxidant capacity (TRAP) was determined by the chemiluminescence method for the induction time of 2.2 azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) and calibrated with Trolox analogue of vitamin E. TRAP values were expressed in μmol of Trolox.

Measurements of serum levels of total cholesterol were determined using a biochemical auto-analyzer system (Dimension Max - Siemens Dade Behring) according to established methods in the literature consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Measurements of serum levels of high-density lipoprotein were determined using a biochemical auto-analyzer system (Dimension Max - Siemens Dade Behring) according to established methods in the literature consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Measurements of serum levels of triglycerides were determined using a biochemical auto-analyzer system (Dimension Max - Siemens Dade Behring) according to established methods in the literature consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Measurements of serum levels of glucose (GLU) were determined using a biochemical auto-analyzer system (Dimension Max - Siemens Dade Behring).

The Homeostasis Assessment Model (HOMA-IR) was calculated by the formula: Insulin fasting (μUI / mL) x Glucose fasting (mmol / L) / 22.5.

Resting BP assessment was performed using automatic, oscillometric equipment (Omron - 7113). Participants attended the laboratory on three different days and, during each visit, remained seated at rest for 10 min with the cuff of the equipment in place on the right arm. Subsequently, several BP measurements were performed at one-minute intervals in order to obtain three consecutive measurements where the difference in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) readings differed by no more than 4 mmHg. The average of the three measurements for each day was averaged across the three visits.

Body mass was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated electronic scale, with subjects wearing light workout clothing and no shoes.

Height was measured using a stadiometer to the nearest 0.1 cm while subjects were standing without shoes.

Body mass index was calculated as the body mass in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

We also collected data on waist circumference (WC), using a flexible and inelastic tape measure. WC was obtained at the midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest at the time of expiration. Two measurements were used to measure each circumference. In situations in which the difference between the measurements was greater than 0.5 cm a third measurement was performed, with the value of the median being adopted as reference. All measurements were performed by the same evaluator.

We also collected data on hip circumference, using a flexible and inelastic tape measure. HC was measured in the region of greater perimeter between the waist and the thigh. Two measurements were used to measure each circumference. In situations in which the difference between the measurements was greater than 0.5 cm a third measurement was performed, with the value of the median being adopted as reference. All measurements were performed by the same evaluator.

Food consumption were assessed by the 24-hour dietary recall method applied on two non-consecutive days of the week, with the aid of a photographic record taken during an interview. The homemade measurements of the nutritional values of food and supplementation were converted into grams and milliliters by the online software Virtual Nutri Plus for diet analysis. Some foods were not found in the program database and therefore items were added from food tables.

Inclusion Criteria: 60 years old or more, physically independent, free from cardiac or orthopedic dysfunction that would prevent them from performing the prescribed exercise or exercise testing associated with the study, not receiving hormonal replacement therapy, and completed a previous 8-week RT program. In this study, only women with SO were included. SO was defined as a body fat mass ≥ 35% combined with appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) less than <15.02 kg, assessed by dual x-ray energy absorptiometry (DXA). Participants underwent a diagnostic graded exercise stress test with a 12-lead electrocardiogram reviewed by a cardiologist and were released with no restrictions for participation in this investigation. Exclusion Criteria: All subjects not participating in 85% of the total sessions of training or withdraw

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