People can start to lose muscle mass as they age. Overweight individuals also risk a loss of muscle mass and physical function. A resistance training program can help, especially with supplemental protein, as a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests.
Researchers analyzed databases of studies involving older subjects in their 70s and younger subjects in their 30s who participated in resistance training programs. Some also supplemented with protein. Of these subjects, some has a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 while others were under 30 BMI.
All subjects showed greater gains when resistance training was performed in conjunction with protein supplementation. On average, subjects with higher BMI realized greater improvements in lean mass and leg strength in response to protein supplementation, although subjects with lower BMI also realized gains with protein.
