Combination Effect of Increased Amount of High Animal Protein Food Intake and Resistance Exercise on Frail Prevention : Intended for Elderly People Covered by Long-term Care Insurance in Japan

<p>Previous studies in interventions for frail elderly people have reported that increased protein intake by nutrition supplements with exercise training improved grip strength. However, there are few intervention studies that demonstrated whether increased the amount of protein intake by the dietary foods improved frailty. In this study, we examined the combination effects of providing high animal protein foods (20 g of protein/day) and exercise on body composition and physical function in the elderly person cared. Providing high animal protein foods significantly increased the estimated animal protein intake evaluated by the brief self-administered diet history questionnaire, compared to that of before intervention. The muscle mass and grip strength (right hand) were significantly increased and the body fat percentage was significantly decreased, following increased high animal protein foods intake plus exercise once or twice a week (180 min each time) for 3 months, compared to that before intervention. However, 3-months after interruption of food intervention, muscle mass was significantly lower than that after food intake plus exercise intervention. There was a significant positive correlation between the changes of muscle mass and estimated dairy products intakes increased by food intervention. Furthermore, our hearing survey indicated that 78% of subjects ingested high protein dairy products at breakfast. Previous studies demonstrated that increased protein intake at breakfast is better for the maintenance and enhancement of muscle mass. Therefore, we considered that consumption of the high protein dairy products in the morning was partially related with the increases in muscle mass. These results suggested that having the high protein at the right time of the day with proper exercise is important for preventing frailty in elderly people.</p>