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Effects of resistance exercise and whey protein supplementation on cognitive function in older men: secondary analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Griffen, Corbin Cullen, Tom Hattersley, John Weickert, Martin O. Duncan, Michael Renshaw, Derek
Griffen, Corbin
Cullen, Tom
Hattersley, John
Weickert, Martin O.
Duncan, Michael
Renshaw, Derek
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2024-06-06
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Abstract
Purpose: Ageing is associated with cognitive decline. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of resistance exercise (RE) and whey protein supplementation (PRO) on cognitive function in older men. Methods: In a pooled-groups analysis, 36 older men (age: 67 ± 4 years) were randomised to either RE (2 x/week; n = 18) or no exercise (NE; n = 18), and either PRO (2 × 25 g/d whey protein isolate; n = 18) or control (CON, 2 × 23.75 g maltodextrin/d; n = 18). A sub-analysis was also conducted between RE + CON (n = 9) and RE + PRO (n = 9). At baseline and 12 weeks, participants completed a battery of neuropsychological tests (CANTAB; Cambridge Cognition, UK) and neurobiological, inflammatory, salivary cortisol and insulin sensitivity biomarkers were quantified. Results: PRO improved executive function z-score (+0.31 ± 0.08) greater than CON (+0.06 ± 0.08, P = 0.03) and there was a trend towards improved global cognitive function (P = 0.053). RE and RE + PRO did not improve any cognitive function domains (p ≥ 0.07). RE decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P = 0.02) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.048) concentrations compared to NE, but changes in biomarkers did not correlate with changes in cognitive domains. Muscle strength (r = 0.34, P = 0.045) and physical function (ρ = 0.35–0.51, P < 0.05) outcomes positively correlated with cognitive function domains at baseline, but only Δskeletal muscle index correlated with Δepisodic memory (r = 0.34, P = 0.046) following the intervention. Conclusion: In older men, PRO improved cognitive function, most notably executive functioning. RE did not improve any cognitive function domains but did decrease biomarkers of systemic inflammation. No synergistic effects were observed.
Citation
Griffen, C., Cullen, T., Hattersley, J., Weickert, M.O., Dallaway, A., Duncan, M. and Renshaw, D. (2024) Effects of resistance exercise and whey protein supplementation on cognitive function in older men: secondary analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Experimental Gerontology, 193, 112477.
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Journal article
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en
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© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2024.112477
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ISSN
0531-5565
EISSN
1873-6815