The effect of lesser mealworm protein on exercise-induced muscle damage in active older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of whey protein supplementation versus lesser mealworm-based protein and placebo on exercise-induced muscle damage in older adults after prolonged walking.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in muscle damage markers (CK, LDH), handgrip strength, or muscle soreness between whey protein, lesser mealworm protein, and placebo groups after prolonged walking exercise. Whey protein did not attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage compared to the other interventions.
Population
Physically active older adults (>60 years)
Effective Dosage
30 g/day
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 weeks lesser mealworm-based (Alphitobius diaperinus) protein supplementation | no change | exercise induced muscle damage | older adults | - | does not attenuate | #1 |
whey protein supplementation | no change | exercise induced muscle damage | older adults | - | does not attenuate | #2 |
iso-caloric placebo supplementation | no change | exercise induced muscle damage | older adults | - | does not attenuate | #3 |
three days of prolonged walking exercise | increase | CK concentrations | older adults | 103 [76-161] U/l to 758 [342-1104] U/l | Significant elevations | #4 |
three days of prolonged walking exercise | increase | LDH concentrations | older adults | 202 [175-220] to 283 [252-339] U/l | Significant elevations | #5 |
three days of prolonged walking exercise | decrease | Hand grip strength | older adults | - | decreased significantly | #6 |
three days of prolonged walking exercise | increase | muscle soreness | older adults | - | increased | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: We compared the effect of 12 weeks lesser mealworm-based (Alphitobius diaperinus) protein supplementation to whey protein and placebo supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage (EIMD) after long-distance walking in older adults. METHODS: in this randomized controlled trial, 70 physically active older adults (>60 years) were randomly allocated to the following groups: I) lesser mealworm protein, II) whey protein or III) iso-caloric placebo. Participants received supplements 11 weeks before and 1 week during a 3-day long-distance walking challenge (30-50 km per day). Blood concentrations of creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), handgrip strength and muscle soreness were measured pre-exercise and directly after each walking bout. RESULTS: Significant elevations of CK concentrations (103 [76-161] U/l to 758 [342-1104] U/l, p < 0.001) and LDH concentrations (202 [175-220] to 283 [252-339] U/l, p < 0.001) were observed following 7h45 min ± 11 min of walking exercise per day, but the magnitude of this effect did not differ among suppletion groups. Hand grip strength decreased significantly (p < 0.001) while muscle soreness increased (p = 0.002) after the first walking day compared to pre-exercise, with no group differences. CONCLUSION: 12-weeks of lesser mealworm-based protein supplementation (30 g/day) does not attenuate exercise induced muscle damage in older adults following three days of prolonged walking exercise in comparison to placebo or whey protein.