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The Influence of Regular Beef Consumption and Protein Density of the Diet on Training-induced Gains in Muscle Strength and Performance in Healthy Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Aging
Interventions
Behavioral: Resistance Training Exercise
Behavioral: Beef Protein Consumption
Registration Number
NCT03029975
Lead Sponsor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Brief Summary

Humans lose muscle and strength as they get older. Further, ageing is accompanied by loss in cognitive function. It is not quite clear why this happens; however, it is known that the loss of muscle and strength can increase risk for physical and mental health risks and impair the ability of older people to remain physically independent. Weight lifting and proper nutrition, particularly eating high quality protein at the proper time and quantity, may help prevent these losses when a person gets older. To determine if regular beef consumption as part of a higher protein diet aids the muscle adaptive response to resistance training and improvements in cognition, seventy healthy individuals will be recruited to lift weights 3 times a week for 10 weeks. One group (n=36) will consume the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein (0.8g/kg/day), while the other group (n=36) will consume an amount twice the RDA (1.6g/kg/day), which is in agreement with recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine. Participants will have their muscle strength tested and samples of blood and muscles will be collected before and after training to determine how the muscle adaptive response to resistance exercise is affected by higher protein intake. In addition, participants will undergo cognitive assessments at baseline and follow-up to determine the influence of improving muscle strength on attention and memory. Overall, the investigators proposed study will use sensitive methodology to determine if providing protein above the RDA and at optimal times during the day in combination with a weight lifting program can help make someone stronger and build larger muscles than someone consuming the RDA, as well as what processes may be responsible for helping the muscles to get bigger and stronger.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
41
Inclusion Criteria
  • Non-obese adults: BMI <30 kg/m2
  • Aged between 40-64 years
  • Sedentary
  • Weight-stable for 6 months prior
Exclusion Criteria
  • Allergies to beef consumption
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • BMI >30 kg/m2
  • history of active cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, GI disorders, musculoskeletal/orthopedic disorders (e.g. osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, gout, fibromyalgia, patellar tendinopathy, or chronic low back pain)
  • hypersensitivity or allergy to antibiotics
  • Kidney, urinary, or liver conditions
  • Epilepsy
  • Diagnosed mental illness
  • have bleeding or clotting disorders (or take related medications e.g.. Coumadin/ low dose Aspirin)
  • High alcohol consumption
  • use tobacco
  • uncontrolled hypertension
  • vegan/vegetarian diets
  • on medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, androgen/estrogen containing compounds, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
  • habitual consumption of high (>1.8 g protein/kg/d) or low (<0.66 g protein/kg/day)
  • pregnancy
  • supplements that influence protein metabolism (e.g. omega 3 fish oils)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
RDABeef Protein ConsumptionParticipants will be asked to consume the RDA for protein for a 10 week period while also undergoing progressive resistance training exercise three times a week. Beef protein consumption will be emphasized and participants will consume a beef meal after each training session.
2x RDAResistance Training ExerciseParticipants will be asked to consume the twice the RDA for protein for a 10 week period while also undergoing progressive resistance training exercise three times a week. Beef protein will be emphasized and participants will consume a beef meal after each training session.
RDAResistance Training ExerciseParticipants will be asked to consume the RDA for protein for a 10 week period while also undergoing progressive resistance training exercise three times a week. Beef protein consumption will be emphasized and participants will consume a beef meal after each training session.
2x RDABeef Protein ConsumptionParticipants will be asked to consume the twice the RDA for protein for a 10 week period while also undergoing progressive resistance training exercise three times a week. Beef protein will be emphasized and participants will consume a beef meal after each training session.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maximal strength of leg musclesChange from baseline to the end of the 10 week diet and resistance training intervention

Assess maximum strength of legs using an isokinetic dynamometer in combination with 1 repetition maximum testing on leg extension, leg press, and leg curl machines.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle cross-sectional areaChange from baseline to the end of the 10 week diet and resistance training intervention

Using muscle biopsies, the investigators will assess the muscle cross sectional area of the vastus lateralis pre and post intervention.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Freer Hall

🇺🇸

Urbana, Illinois, United States

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