Effects of Isolated Soy Protein Supplementation Combined with Aerobic Exercise Training on Improving Body Composition, Anthropometric Characteristics and Cardiopulmonary Endurance in Women: A Pilot Study.

Fang Li,Yi-Ju Hsu,Ying-Ting Hsueh,Chi-Chang Huang,Chin-Shan Ho,Mon-Chien Lee,Chun-Hao Chang

doi:10.3390/ijerph182211798

Abstract

Today, women are concerned with health promotion but also with improvements in body weight and shape. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise training (AET) combined with isolated soy protein (ISP) supplementation on the body composition, anthropometric characteristics, and cardiopulmonary endurance of women. The qualified subjects were randomly assigned to AET or AET + ISP groups. Women in the AET + ISP group were given an ISP-rich supplement (40 g/day) 5 days a week for 8 weeks; those in the AET group were given the same amount of water in an identical manner. All women received 60 min of AET twice a week for 8 weeks at an intensity of 40–65% heart rate reserve (HRR) and their body composition, anthropometric characteristics, and physical fitness were measured one week before and after the 8-week AET class. A total of 16 subjects (age: 36.13 ± 5.76 years) completed the study and were included in the dataset. The results of this study show that the AET + ISP group obtained greater reductions in body weight (effect size = 0.99), body mass index (BMI, effect size = 1.04), percentage body fat (PBF, effect size = 1.18), circumferences (waist and hip, all effect sizes > 0.8), and greater gains in the percentage lean body mass (PLBM, effect size = 0.89), compared with the AET group, without significant differences in 20 m multi-stage shuttle run test (20 m MST). We conclude that there is a trend for the consumption of ISP following AET to improve the body composition and anthropometric characteristics in women, compared with those who received the same AET without ISP supplementation.

Highlights

The effects of consuming plant-based isolated soy protein (ISP) are related to health and physical function; it provides most of the essential amino acids for protein synthesis in the body [1,2]
In the aerobic exercise training (AET) group, the body weight, BMI, and PBF decreased by 0.23%, 0.24%, and 0.69%, respectively, and PLBM increased by 0.28%
Many previous studies have confirmed that soy protein consumption after strength or resistance exercise training can improve muscle protein synthesis [36], attenuate muscle damage, enhance muscle recovery [35], and promote muscle mass gains [2], but there are few studies concerning the effects of ISP supplementation post AET on health promotion for women

Summary

Introduction

The effects of consuming plant-based isolated soy protein (ISP) are related to health and physical function; it provides most of the essential amino acids for protein synthesis in the body [1,2]. ISP intake can reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and breast cancer mortality and improve vascular elasticity and glycemic control [3,7,8,9,10,11]. Small amounts of dietary protein reduce the breakdown of muscle protein, whereas large amounts of protein supplementation stimulate the synthesis of muscle protein [12]. Protein supplementations allow for higher protein intake, and consuming adequate ISP can result in decreased body fat and weight; they can be.

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