Effects of a Hypocaloric Diet Plus Resistance Training with and Without Amino Acids in Older Participants with Dynapenic Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether adding essential amino acids (EAAs) to a hypocaloric diet and resistance training regimen provided additional benefits for improving body composition, physical performance, and muscle strength in older adults with dynapenic obesity.
Results Summary
The study found that while both groups (RT alone and RT+EAAs) improved body composition and physical function, EAA supplementation did not provide additional benefits beyond those achieved by resistance training and a hypocaloric diet alone.
Population
Older adults with dynapenic obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and/or high waist circumference and low handgrip strength).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Five months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | decrease | body mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -4.66 kg | reduced | #1 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | decrease | body mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -4.02 kg | reduced | #2 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | decrease | waist circumference | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -4.66 cm | reduced | #3 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | decrease | waist circumference | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -2.2 cm | reduced | #4 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | decrease | total fat mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -3.81 kg | reduced | #5 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | decrease | total fat mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -3.72 kg | reduced | #6 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | decrease | compartmental fat mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | - | reduced | #7 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | decrease | compartmental fat mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | - | reduced | #8 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | increase | 1-RM strength | older adults with dynapenic obesity | 33-47% | improved | #9 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | increase | 1-RM strength | older adults with dynapenic obesity | 33-47% | improved | #10 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | increase | isometric torque for body mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | 14.5% | improved | #11 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | increase | isometric torque for body mass | older adults with dynapenic obesity | 10.6% | improved | #12 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | decrease | functional performance (chair stand) | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -3.24 s | improved | #13 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | decrease | functional performance (chair stand) | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -1.5 s | improved | #14 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training | increase | handgrip strength | older adults with dynapenic obesity | -2.7 kg | improved | #15 |
hypocaloric diet plus resistance training with essential amino acids | increase | handgrip strength | older adults with dynapenic obesity | 2.9 kg | improved | #16 |
essential amino acids supplementation | no change | body composition and physical function | DO participants | - | did not provide additional benefits | #17 |
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Exercise and nutrition may be useful strategies in dynapenic and sarcopenic obesity management, but the identification of treatment modalities aimed at improving this condition is still lacking. We compared the effect of a five-month hypocaloric diet plus resistance training (RT) with and without essential amino acids (EAAs) on body composition, physical performance, and muscle strength among older adults with dynapenic obesity (DO). METHODS: Older individuals (n = 48) with DO [(BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and/or high waist circumference and low handgrip strength (HGS)] were randomized into two double-blind groups (RT without EAAs vs. RT+EAAs). All participants followed a hypocaloric diet (1 g of proteins/kg spread over three meals) and RT for five months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the body composition (DXA), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), HGS, one-repetition maximum (1-RM), and maximal isometric torque with an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: Both groups reduced body mass (RT: -4.66 kg; RT+EAAs: -4.02 kg), waist circumference (RT: -4.66 cm; RT+EAAs: -2.2 cm), total fat mass (RT: -3.81 kg; RT+EAAs: -3.72 kg), and compartmental fat mass with no between-group differences. Both groups improved 1-RM strength (33-47%), isometric torque for body mass (RT: 14.5%; RT+EAAs: 10.6%), and functional performance (chair stand (RT: -3.24 s; RT+EAAs: -1.5 s) and HGS (RT: -2.7 kg; RT+EAAs: 2.9 kg)) with no between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate hypocaloric diet combined with RT improves body composition and physical function in DO participants, but EAA supplementation did not provide additional benefits.