The Study
Independent and combined effect of home-based progressive resistance training and nutritional supplementation on muscle strength, muscle mass and physical function in dynapenic older adults with low protein intake: A randomized controlled trial.
This study is like a fair test where they gave different groups different ways to get stronger — some did exercises, some took supplements, some did both, and some did nothing. They found that exercises helped people get stronger, but the supplements didn’t help any more than exercises alone. But because they didn’t hide who got what, we can’t be 100% sure it was the exercises and not something else.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Older adults who are weak from aging tried either lifting weights, taking supplements, both, or nothing. Only lifting weights made them stronger and better at standing up or walking.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 569 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — this means older adults can get stronger and more independent just by doing simple home workouts, even if they don't eat extra protein or calories.
- 2Lifting weights improved handgrip strength and standing up from a chair a lot — even without gaining muscle.
- 3Supplements only helped walking a little, and didn't help when added to lifting weights.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
Year
2020
Authors
Alessandra de Carvalho Bastone, L. N. Nobre, Bruno de Souza Moreira, Iramaya Francielle Rosa, Gabrielle Bemfica Ferreira, Dayane Deyse Lee Santos, Nancy Krysna Sancha Silva Monteiro, M. D. Alves, Rômulo Amaral Gandra, Elane Marinho de Lira
Related Content
Claims (10)
Resistance training increases the effectiveness of dietary protein in preserving muscle mass and supporting physical function.
In frail older adults, resistance training is required to realize the muscle and functional health benefits from dietary protein; taking protein supplements without resistance training does not improve strength, muscle mass, or physical performance unless their usual protein intake is less than 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
In older adults with muscle weakness and low protein intake, a 12-week home-based resistance training program performed three times per week increases handgrip strength and sit-to-stand ability without increasing muscle size, showing that the strength gains result from improved nerve-to-muscle communication.
In older adults with muscle weakness and low protein intake, taking nutritional supplements without doing strength training does not improve muscle strength or overall physical function, except for a small increase in walking speed.
In older adults with muscle weakness and low protein intake, taking nutritional supplements without exercising does not improve muscle strength or overall physical function, but it may lead to a small improvement in walking speed.
In older adults with muscle weakness and low protein intake, resistance training leads to greater improvements in walking speed than nutritional supplements alone.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.