ECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN20
INTRODUCTION: The loss of muscle mass and cognitive function in sarcopenic overweight women is a public health concern. The relationship between exercise, protein supplementation, and cognitive function remains a key research area. This study examined the effects of concurrent exercise and high-protein supplementation on sarcopenic-overweight women. METHODS: Forty women (mean age: 66.63 ± 7.23 years, BMI: 24.86 ± 2.64 kg/m², and waist circumference 83.16 ± 6.95 cm) participated in a 12-week intervention. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Exercise without supplementation (EG), Exercise with supplementation (ESG), Control with supplementation (CSG), and Control without supplementation (CG). Assessments included working memory (N-back task), body composition, and muscle strength (Biodex 4 Pro), measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: (1) Behavior performance of working memory: The study found that as task difficulty increased, reaction times became slower (F(3,9) = 779.81, p < 0.01), confirming that more complex tasks require more significant cognitive effort. No significant effect on reaction time or accuracy rate was found (p < 0.05). However, task-specific improvements were observed that SG improved in simple response tasks (N-back 0), reducing reaction time (638.85 ± 109.88 ms vs. 564.63 ± 62.38 ms, p = 0.01), while EG showed gains in high working-memory tasks (N-back 2)(1386.15 ± 311.99 ms vs. 1157.11 ± 337.75 ms, p = 0.04). (2) Body composition: The intervention significantly improved fat mass, fat percentage, and lean mass, with ESG achieving the best results. The most significant fat mass reduction (pretest 20.04 ± 8.61 vs. posttest 18.46 ± 7.43 kg, p < 0.01), fat percentage reduction (pretest 33.53 ± 7.97% vs. posttest 31.53 ± 8.02%, p < 0.01), and the highest lean mass gain (pretest 21.01 ± 1.23 vs. posttest 21.57± 1.47 kg, p < 0.01) were found in ESG. BMI and total weight remained stable, suggesting muscle gain may have balanced fat loss. (3) Muscle strength showed significant improvement over time for flexion (p < 0.01, partial η² = 0.38) and extension strength (p < 0.01, partial η² = 0.28), particularly in ESG, while it showed the most significant gains (knee flexion: pretest 23.96 ± 10.93 Nt, posttest: 43.01 ± 12.93 Nt; knee extension: pretest 45.50 ± 16.87 Nt, posttest: 66.07 ± 20.35 Nt). CONCLUSION: Concurrent exercise with supplementation effectively reduced fat mass, increased lean mass, and improved muscle strength in sarcopenic-overweight women. While the behavioral performance of working memory did not show substantial overall improvement, supplementation enhanced reaction speed, and exercise improved working memory. Targeted interventions integrating concurrent exercise and supplementation may optimize body composition and muscle strength. Future research should examine long-term metabolic and neurocognitive effects to refine strategies further. The study was funded by National Science & Technology Council (NSTC 112-2410-H-320 -001 -MY2).
Read CV HUEI-JHEN WENECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN20
INTRODUCTION: Muscular dystrophinopathies (MD) are a heterogenous group of inherited neuromuscular disorders characterised by progressive declines in skeletal muscle strength, size and function. Despite progress in potential drug treatments in pre-clinical models, few have transitioned to widespread clinical usage. As such, identifying interventions that maintain and/or slow declines in function and quality of life (QoL) are essential. Nutritional interventions, including protein and creatine supplementation, have shown efficacy in specific MD populations i.e. paediatric Duchenne MD [1]; however, little is known about the dietary habits of the broader adult MD population[2, 3]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status and habits in adults with MD and probe for associations between nutritional outcomes, functional/physiological parameters and QoL. METHODS: Adults with MD (n=39;FSHD=8, LGMD=9, Other=22, body mass index (BMI) 26.8±5kg/m2,61±14yrs) and non-dystrophic controls (CTRL)(n=15, 28.5±5.9kg/m2, 38±12yrs) completed: (1) 2x three-day food diaries, separated by 8 weeks, (2) a set of validated questionnaires assessing perceived functional ability and QoL; (3) strength and functional testing comprising body composition, forearm muscle thickness, elbow flexor, arm abduction and grip strength, and muscle function (10m walk, timed up and go). Group differences were probed using independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U and associations were tested using Pearson’s r or Spearman’s Rho tests, depending on normality. Values are reported as mean ± SD and significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: No differences between CTRL and MD were found for BMI or self-reported physical activity (p>0.05). MD reported a lower protein intake (PI) as a percentage of recommended daily intake (%RDI)(0.76 g/kg/day)[4] when compared to CTRL (150±35%RDI vs 186±15%RDI,respectively, p=0.022), while reporting a higher overall energy intake (MD=139±48%, CTRL=114±32%, p=0.023). PI (g/kg/day) was positively associated with lower limb function (rs=0.43), Barthel Index (ability to perform daily tasks)(rs=0.43) and elbow flexor strength(rs=0.37) in the MD group (all p<0.05). MD also reported lower branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intakes (CTRL=8225±961mg,MD=6274±474mg, p=0.049) which were associated with lean mass% (r=0.45, p=0.015) and arm abduction strength(r=0.37, p=0.036). CONCLUSION: These data show MD adults have reduced total protein and BCAA intake compared to the average UK adult, whilst consuming a greater relative energy intake. Importantly, protein and BCAA intake were associated with various measures of muscle strength and function, suggesting interventions targeted at increasing such intakes may benefit this population. 1. Davidson, Z.E., et al., Clinical Nutrition, 2021. 40(7): p. 4702-4711. 2. Motlagh, B., et al., Muscle Nerve, 2005. 31(6): p. 713-8. 3. Amzali, S., et al., Nutrients, 2023. 15(7). 4. nutrition.org.uk, Dietary Reference Values, 2021.
Read CV Meghann LeaverECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN20
INTRODUCTION: Skeletal muscle size decreases and intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) content increases with aging, which induces decline of skeletal muscle strength and physical function (Goodpaster et al, 2006; Tuttle et al, 2012). IntraMAT content is known to be associated with metabolic diseases such as type Ⅱ diabetes (Goodpaster et al, 2000). Therefore, it is important to take measures to prevent the decrease in skeletal muscle size and the accumulation of IntraMAT. One of the factors that may affect changes in the amount and proportion of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue is habitual dietary intake. It has been clarified that protein intake helps maintain and increase skeletal muscle size; however, it is not well known how protein intake affects adipose tissue. Previous studies examined the relationships among skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), IntraMAT content, and protein intake (Sjoholm et al, 2016; Dicks et al, 2020); however, a consistent consensus has not been observed in these relationships. A possible cause of the inconsistency in these relationships is the difference in age. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships among skeletal muscle CSA, IntraMAT content, and protein intake in younger and older adults. METHODS: Twenty-three young women (19.9 ± 1.6 years) and 25 older women (72.4 ± 3.2 years) participated in this study. Skeletal muscle CSA and IntraMAT content (%) of the quadriceps femoris (QF), hamstrings (HM), adductors (AD), and total thigh (i.e. sum of QF, HM, and AD) at the mid-thigh were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. The percentages of energy from protein were assessed using a simple self-administered dietary history questionnaire. Protein was classified into total protein, animal protein, or plant protein. RESULTS: No significant correlations were observed between skeletal muscle CSA and percentage of energy from protein (i.e. total protein, animal protein, and plant protein) in both groups. In younger group, IntraMAT content of the QF significantly correlated with the percentages of energy from total protein (r = 0.528, P < 0.05) and animal protein (r = 0.484, P < 0.05). In older group, IntraMAT content of the three skeletal muscle groups (i.e. QF, HM, and AD) and the total thigh were inversely correlated with the percentages of energy from plant protein (r = -0.538 to -0.455, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the relationship between IntraMAT content and protein intake varies with age, and particularly in older group, a higher percentage of energy from plant protein affect reduce the accumulation of IntraMAT content.
Read CV Erika SandoECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN20