Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on physical performance in healthy elderly women involved in a weekly exercise program: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether 12 weeks of oral magnesium supplementation could improve physical performance, including walking speed, in healthy elderly women.
Results Summary
The study found that magnesium supplementation significantly improved total SPPB scores, chair stand times, and 4-m walking speeds in healthy elderly women, particularly those with lower dietary magnesium intake. No significant differences were observed for secondary outcomes like lower limb strength or handgrip strength, and no serious adverse effects were reported.
Population
Healthy elderly women (mean age 71.5 ± 5.2 years) attending a mild fitness program.
Effective Dosage
300 mg Mg/day
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
oral magnesium supplementation (300 mg Mg/d) for 12 wk | increase | total Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score | healthy elderly women | Δ = 0.41 ± 0.24 points | significantly better | #1 |
oral magnesium supplementation (300 mg Mg/d) for 12 wk | decrease | chair stand times | healthy elderly women | Δ = -1.31 ± 0.33 s | significantly better | #2 |
oral magnesium supplementation (300 mg Mg/d) for 12 wk | increase | 4-m walking speeds | healthy elderly women | Δ = 0.14 ± 0.03 m/s | significantly better | #3 |
oral magnesium supplementation (300 mg Mg/d) for 12 wk | no change | peak torque isometric and isokinetic strength of the lower limbs | healthy elderly women | - | no significant differences emerged | #4 |
oral magnesium supplementation (300 mg Mg/d) for 12 wk | no change | handgrip strength | healthy elderly women | - | no significant differences emerged | #5 |
daily magnesium oxide supplementation for 12 wk | increase | physical performance | healthy elderly women | - | seems to improve | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Magnesium deficiency is associated with poor physical performance, but no trials are available on how magnesium supplementation affects elderly people's physical performance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate whether 12 wk of oral magnesium supplementation can improve physical performance in healthy elderly women. DESIGN: In a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 139 healthy women (mean ± SD age: 71.5 ± 5.2 y) attending a mild fitness program were randomly allocated to a treatment group (300 mg Mg/d; n = 62) or a control group (no placebo or intervention; n = 77) by using a computer-generated randomization sequence, and researchers were blinded to their grouping. After assessment at baseline and again after 12 wk, the primary outcome was a change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); secondary outcomes were changes in peak torque isometric and isokinetic strength of the lower limbs and handgrip strength. RESULTS: A total of 124 participants allocated to the treatment (n = 53) or control (n = 71) group were considered in the final analysis. At baseline, the SPPB scores did not differ between the 2 groups. After 12 wk, the treated group had a significantly better total SPPB score (Δ = 0.41 ± 0.24 points; P = 0.03), chair stand times (Δ = -1.31 ± 0.33 s; P < 0.0001), and 4-m walking speeds (Δ = 0.14 ± 0.03 m/s; P = 0.006) than did the control group. These findings were more evident in participants with a magnesium dietary intake lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowance. No significant differences emerged for the secondary outcomes investigated, and no serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Daily magnesium oxide supplementation for 12 wk seems to improve physical performance in healthy elderly women. These findings suggest a role for magnesium supplementation in preventing or delaying the age-related decline in physical performance.