Strength Training and Protein Supplementation in Pre-frail Elderly Individuals. Effects on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, Rate of Force Development and Functional Capacity

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a lower-body strength training regime combined with protein supplementation in pre-frail elderly individuals. Participants are randomized to a group performing three weekly sessions of heavy-load strength training for 10 weeks and receiving daily protein supplementation, or a non-training, non-supplemented control group. The endpoints are changes in body composition, the relative changes in different compartments of the quadriceps femoris muscles, and the relationships between changes in muscle mass, muscle thickness, strength, and functional capacity. The investigators hypothesize that 10 weeks of heavy load strength training and protein supplementation will elicit improvements in muscle mass, strength, and functional performance. Moreover, it is hypothesized that improvements in strength will correlate with the improvements in functional performance.