Articles - Energy & Fitness
Nutritional supplements could help older people maintain an active lifestyle for longer.
A Manchester Metropolitan University study has found that taking carbohydrate and protein
supplements just before and just after low-resistance exercise could boost muscle performance
and slow muscle wastage in people over retirement age.
This combination appears to deliver greater fitness benefits than undertaking heavy-resistance
training with or without changing one's nutritional habits.
This was the first-ever study of the combination of structured exercise and nutritional supplements
to focus wholly on older people. Undertaken as part of the SPARC (Strategic Promotion of Ageing
Research Capacity) initiative, the findings will be discussed at this year's BA Festival of Science in
Liverpool on Thursday 11th September. SPARC is supported by the Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC).
This groundbreaking study involved a carefully selected sample of around 60 healthy,
independent-living adults aged 65 and over.
The volunteers were randomly divided into groups who underwent different 12 week programmes
of physical exercise and nutritional supplementation. Everyone was then re-assessed at the end of
the programme.
Some groups undertook low-resistance exercise once a week; others undertook high-resistance
exercise twice a week. Within each group, some of the volunteers took protein and carbohydrate
supplements while others did not.
When all the participants were re-assessed at the end of the 12 week programme, it was observed
that muscle size and strength had increased in all groups.
However, the results suggested that older people would derive the most benefits if they took
appropriate supplements coupled with low-intensity exercise.
"Maintaining muscle performance and arresting muscle wastage can offer older people real
improvements in their quality of life," says Dr Gladys Pearson, who led the research. "Though we
still need to assess precisely what level of exercise gives the best results, we believe we've shown
that regular low-resistance exercise complemented by the right nutritional supplements could
boost the well-being of the UK's ageing population."
A Manchester Metropolitan University study has found that taking carbohydrate and protein
supplements just before and just after low-resistance exercise could boost muscle performance
and slow muscle wastage in people over retirement age.
This combination appears to deliver greater fitness benefits than undertaking heavy-resistance
training with or without changing one's nutritional habits.
This was the first-ever study of the combination of structured exercise and nutritional supplements
to focus wholly on older people. Undertaken as part of the SPARC (Strategic Promotion of Ageing
Research Capacity) initiative, the findings will be discussed at this year's BA Festival of Science in
Liverpool on Thursday 11th September. SPARC is supported by the Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
Council (BBSRC).
This groundbreaking study involved a carefully selected sample of around 60 healthy,
independent-living adults aged 65 and over.
The volunteers were randomly divided into groups who underwent different 12 week programmes
of physical exercise and nutritional supplementation. Everyone was then re-assessed at the end of
the programme.
Some groups undertook low-resistance exercise once a week; others undertook high-resistance
exercise twice a week. Within each group, some of the volunteers took protein and carbohydrate
supplements while others did not.
When all the participants were re-assessed at the end of the 12 week programme, it was observed
that muscle size and strength had increased in all groups.
However, the results suggested that older people would derive the most benefits if they took
appropriate supplements coupled with low-intensity exercise.
"Maintaining muscle performance and arresting muscle wastage can offer older people real
improvements in their quality of life," says Dr Gladys Pearson, who led the research. "Though we
still need to assess precisely what level of exercise gives the best results, we believe we've shown
that regular low-resistance exercise complemented by the right nutritional supplements could
boost the well-being of the UK's ageing population."
Key To Keeping Older People Keep Fit Longer
WELLNESS
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Healthy Eating Habits
The Superfoods
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WEIGHT MANGEMENT
Calculating Body Frame Size
Calculating Body Mass Index BMI)
PERSONAL CARE
Health & Nutition Resources
Web Links
DIET
A-Z Weight Loss Diets
Diet & Physical Activity
NUTRITION
Healthy Eating Habits
The Superfoods
Best Foods for Anti-Aging
Best Heart Healthy Foods
Best Cancer Fighting Foods
Superfoods to Boost Immunity
WEIGHT MANGEMENT
Calculating Body Frame Size
Calculating Body Mass Index BMI)
PERSONAL CARE
Health & Nutition Resources
Web Links
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