Effect of B‐hydoxy‐ B‐Methylbutyrate (HMB) and Resistance Training on Body Composition and Functionality in Elderly Women (65–89 yrs)

Abstract

HMB has been shown to slow muscle protein degradation. The effects of HMB and RT on body composition and strength in elderly women were evaluated. Ninty‐seven subjects (49 women, 48 men) consumed either a placebo (200 mg Calcium) or treatment (1.2g HMB‐200 mg Calcium) twice daily and were enrolled into a no‐training placebo group (NT); treatment (NT‐HMB), RT; or treatment plus RT (RT‐HMB), 3 d·wk−1 for 24‐weeks. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA)‐derived appendicular lean‐soft tissue was used to evaluate changes in muscle and fat mass (MM, FM).RESULTSAt 12‐weeks there were significant increases (p<0.05) in Arms, Legs and Total Body MM (0.11–1.04 kg) for both RT groups. At 24‐weeks, RT‐HMB was significantly greater than NT and RT‐PL for upper body MM (p<0.05). Leg extension strength increased (p<0.01) for the RT and NT‐HMB groups. Handgrip and get‐up‐and go improved over time (p<0.01).CONCLUSION12‐weeks of HMB supplementation resulted in a possible increase in upper body lean mass and right side/dominant improvements in arm MM. At 24‐weeks, the addition of HMB to resistance training had a significant effect on increasing upper body MM. There seems to be little synergistic effect of RT with HMB on functionality. RT improved MM, but failed to elicit changes in FM. The addition of HMB, for 24‐weeks, may offer an additional advantage for increasing upper body MM in elderly women. Supported by Abbott Nutrition Grant.