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Cited by 480Muscle metabolism and nutritionNutrition and Health in AgingMuscle Physiology and Disorders

Resistance exercise enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis with graded intakes of whey protein in older men

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Yang, Yifan, Breen, Leigh, Burd, Nicholas A., Hector, Amy J., Churchward-Venne, Tyler A., Josse, Andrea R., Tarnopolsky, M. A., Phillips, Stuart M.·2012·British Journal of Nutrition
DOI 10.1017/s0007114511007422
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Abstract

Feeding stimulates robust increases in muscle protein synthesis (MPS); however, ageing may alter the anabolic response to protein ingestion and the subsequent aminoacidaemia. With this as background, we aimed to determine in the present study the dose–response of MPS with the ingestion of isolated whey protein, with and without prior resistance exercise, in the elderly. For the purpose of this study, thirty-seven elderly men (age 71 ( sd 4) years) completed a bout of unilateral leg-based resistance exercise before ingesting 0, 10, 20 or 40 g of whey protein isolate (W0–W40, respectively). Infusion of l -[1- 13 C]leucine and l -[ ring - 13 C 6 ]phenylalanine with bilateral vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were used to ascertain whole-body leucine oxidation and 4 h post-protein consumption of MPS in the fed-state of non-exercised and exercised leg muscles. It was determined that whole-body leucine oxidation increased in a stepwise, dose-dependent manner. MPS increased above basal, fasting values by approximately 65 and 90 % for W20 and W40, respectively ( P < 0·05), but not with lower doses of whey. While resistance exercise was generally effective at stimulating MPS, W20 and W40 ingestion post-exercise increased MPS above W0 and W10 exercised values ( P < 0·05) and W40 was greater than W20 ( P < 0·05). Based on the study, the following conclusions were drawn. At rest, the optimal whey protein dose for non-frail older adults to consume, to increase myofibrillar MPS above fasting rates, was 20 g. Resistance exercise increases MPS in the elderly at all protein doses, but to a greater extent with 40 g of whey ingestion. These data suggest that, in contrast to younger adults, in whom post-exercise rates of MPS are saturated with 20 g of protein, exercised muscles of older adults respond to higher protein doses.

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  • Older muscle may be slower to respond and less sensitive to protein ingestion, typically requiring 40 g doses to robustly stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

    “Recent reports suggest that older muscle may be slower to respond and less sensitive to protein ingestion, typically requiring 40 g doses to robustly stimulate muscle protein synthesis [84–86].”

    From ISSN exercise &amp; sports nutrition review update: research &amp; recommendations (2018) · cites this paper as [84]

    The Discussion describes older muscle as less sensitive to low protein doses, and the Results report a greater post-exercise synthesis response to 40 g than to 20 g of whey. But 20 g stimulated synthesis without exercise, and the paper recommends at least 20 g per meal; it does not establish that 40 g is typically required or directly show a slower response to protein ingestion. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • High-leucine-containing and rapidly digested whey proteins showed an advantage over isolated casein and soy proteins, particularly in short-term experiments.

    “High-leucineecontaining and rapidly digested whey proteins showed an advantage over isolated casein and soy proteins, 24,30,61,139 which was particularly evident in short-term experiments.62,143”

    From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Discussion describes whey as a rapidly digested, leucine-rich protein and reports an acute increase in muscle protein synthesis in older adults. But this study compared doses of whey, not whey against casein or soy; its results therefore do not establish the claimed advantage over those proteins. The cited References name comparative studies, but their listings do not establish a comparison in this paper. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Results of nutritional intervention studies are not consistent regarding the clinical efficacy of leucine in healthy, active older men.

    “Although the BCAA leucine has been proposed as a promising pharmaconutrient for prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, results of nutritional intervention studies are not consistent regarding the clinical efficacy of leucine in healthy, active older men.24,28,201,202”

    From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) calls the efficacy of long-term leucine supplementation unclear and describes discordance between acute metabolic responses and chronic supplementation studies. It reports that long-term studies found no increase in lean mass or strength in healthy elderly men, but does not establish inconsistent clinical outcomes specifically in active older men. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • A protein dose of 20-40 g of protein (10-12 g of EAAs, 1-3 g of leucine) stimulates MPS, which can help to promote a positive nitrogen balance.

    “A protein dose of 20–40 g of protein (10–12 g of EAAs, 1–3 g of leucine) stimulates MPS, which can help to promote a positive nitrogen balance.”

    From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise (2017) · cites this paper as [136]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that 20 g of whey protein, containing approximately 10 g of essential amino acids and at least 2 g of leucine, increased myofibrillar MPS in older men; 40 g also increased MPS. It does not establish the stated amino-acid amounts for the full 20–40 g range or show that these doses promote a positive nitrogen balance. The Discussion says the effect of dietary protein patterns on daily muscle protein balance had yet to be examined. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • In young and old people alike, protein ingestion together with exercise training increased synthesis of skeletal muscle; effects were evident for both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.

    “In young and old people alike, protein ingestion together with exercise training increased synthesis of skeletal muscle 24,30,52,53,139 ; effects were evident for both aerobic exercise 51,52 and resistance exercise.24,30,139”

    From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors
Yang, Y., Breen, L., Burd, N. A., Hector, A. J., Churchward-Venne, T. A., Josse, A. R., Tarnopolsky, M. A., & Phillips, S. M.
Affiliations
McMaster University (CA)
Corresponding author
Phillips, Stuart M.
ORCID
Venue
British Journal of Nutrition
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2012-02-07
Volume
108
Issue
10
Pages
1780-1788
ISSN
  • 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2662
DOI
10.1017/s0007114511007422
OpenAlex
W2114028666
Cited by
480
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 46 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 15
FWCI
20.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified)
Locations
  • British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
Keywords
resistance training, myofibrillar protein synthesis, whey protein isolate, older men, leucine oxidation, aminoacidemia, muscle protein synthesis
MeSH terms
Whey Proteins, Aged, Amino Acids, Carbon Isotopes, Diet, Food Analysis, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Insulin, Male, Milk Proteins, Myofibrils, Exercise, Dietary Supplements

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