Cited by 86Nutrition and Health in AgingMuscle metabolism and nutritionFrailty in Older Adults

Protein intake and physical function in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Coelho-Júnior, Hélio José, Calvani, Riccardo, Tosato, Matteo, Landi, Francesco, Picca, Anna, Marzetti, Emanuele·2022·Ageing Research Reviews

Abstract

Background The present study explored cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between protein intake and physical function in older adults.Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that investigated the association between protein intake and measures of physical function in older adults. Cross-sectional, case-control, and longitudinal cohort studies that investigated the association between protein intake and physical function as a primary or secondary outcome in people aged 60 + years were included. Studies published in languages other than English, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish were excluded. Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine, and Food Science Source databases through January 31, 2022. A pooled effect size was calculated based on standard mean differences (SMD), MD, log odds ratio (OR) and Z-score..Results Twenty-two cross-sectional studies examined a total of 11,332 community-dwellers, hospitalized older adults, and elite senior athletes with a mean age of approximately 75 years. The pooled analysis indicated that a protein intake higher than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) was significantly associated with higher Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores (SMD: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.99, P-value: 0.0006), faster walking speed, greater lower-limb (SMD: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.40, P-value: 0.02) and isometric handgrip strength (Z-score: 0.087, 95% CI: 0.046-0.128, P-value: 0.0001), and better balance (SMD: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.62, P-value: 0.02). Nine longitudinal studies investigated 12,424 community-dwelling and native older adults with a mean age of approximately 85 years. A protein intake higher than the current RDA was not associated with lower decline in either isometric handgrip strength (logOR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.02, P-value= 0.67) or walking speed (logOR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.77-1.10, P-value= 0.35).Conclusions A protein intake higher than the RDA is cross-sectionally associated with better physical performance and greater muscle strength in older adults. However, a high consumption of proteins does not seem to prevent physical function decline over time.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101731

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  • SO might be influenced by multiple shared factors and pathophysiological pathways that affect both sarcopenia and obesity, including age, sedentary lifestyle, lack of muscle exercise, hormone levels, nutritional status, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and others.

    “SO might be influenced by multiple shared factors and pathophysiological pathways that affect both sarcopenia and obesity, including age, sedentary lifestyle, lack of muscle exercise, hormone levels, nutritional status, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and others [14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27].”
  • Decreasing PA may accelerate age-related muscle loss and function, reduce energy expenditure and raise the risk of obesity.

    “Decreasing PA may accelerate age‐related muscle loss and function, reduce energy expenditure and raise the risk of obesity [1, 26].”

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Authors
Coelho-Júnior, H. J., Calvani, R., Tosato, M., Landi, F., Picca, A., & Marzetti, E.
Affiliations
  • Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
  • Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
Corresponding author
Calvani, Riccardo
Venue
Ageing Research Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-11
Volume
81
Pages
101731
ISSN
1568-1637 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4295012140
Cited by
86
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 2
FWCI
2.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Ageing Research Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (D1.2022)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
Keywords
protein intake, physical function, older adults, grip strength, walking speed, balance, Short Physical Performance Battery, muscle strength, sarcopenia, dietary protein, functional decline, community-dwelling older adults, hospitalized older adults
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Hand Strength, Muscle Strength

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