The Effect of 8-Week Resistance Training and Leucine Supplementation on Protein Synthesis Among Elderly Men With Sarcopenia

• Main Authors: Zahra Sadat Pormozafari, Mohsen Aminaie, Rohollah Nikooie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zabol University of Medical sciences 2018-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Basic Science in Medicine
• Subjects: Resistance exercise; Leucine; Protein synthesis; Older men; Sarcopenia
• Online Access: http://ijbsm.zbmu.ac.ir/PDF/ijbsm-3199

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of eight-week resistance training and supplementation of leucine on protein synthesis in elderly men suffering from sarcopenia. Methods: A total of 40 elderly men residing in elderly nursing center were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups to be evaluated: Resistance training and leucine supplement (RTLS=10), resistance training (RT=10), leucine supplement (LS=10), and Control (C=10). Resistance training was performed with intensity training of 35%-70% of one repetition maximum (1RM) for 20-45 minutes during an 8-week interval. The supplemented group consumed 3 g of leucine amino acid in every meal. The serum insulin concentration, urine nitrogen, muscle mass, and muscle strength were measured 1 day prior to the implementation of the protocol and 72 hours following the last training session. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was analyzed within and between group changes. Bonferroni post hoc test was used to determine the difference between each of the 2 groups. Results: The results showed that urine nitrogen and muscle mass levels increased significantly after 8 weeks of RT compared to C group (P<0.05). Serum insulin concentration increased significantly in RT group compared to C group (P<0.05). In addition, there was a significant increase in muscle strength in RT and S groups compared to C group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that muscle protein synthesis increased after resistance training in skeletal muscle. This implies that the rate of sarcopenia reduced as a result of resistance training. Likewise,, resistance training along with consumption of leucine supplement were effective in improving muscle strength.