Protein Supplementation in Addition to Strength Training Programs for Improving Body Composition in Older Adults: What Else Is Left to Know? A Brief Update Review of the Current Evidence

Abstract

Resistance training alongside proper protein intake is an important tool to mitigate the deleterious effects of the aging process on skeletal muscle tissue. However, it is not completely elucidated whether adding protein supplementation provides further improvements on body composition outcomes of older adults during resistance training programs. The present narrative review aimed to describe the most recent evidence regarding the effects of protein supplementation on both lean body mass and fat mass of older adults and to provide insight into how health professionals may use this information to properly design nutritional programs for this population. While individuals with previous training experience, not meeting daily protein requirement, or displaying frailty symptoms may experience some benefits, protein supplementation does not seem to provide further improvements in untrained and healthy subjects. Aspects such as the age of the individuals and the different characteristics of the supplementation protocols must be considered when making evidence-based decisions regarding this topic.