This study examined the effects and feasibility of a twice-weekly combined therapy of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and exercise on physical function improvement in frail and pre-frail elderly people requiring long-term care. We used a crossover design in which the combination of exercise and nutritional interventions was carried out twice a week during cycles A (3 months) and B (3 months) and the exercise intervention alone was performed during the washout period. The exercise intervention entailed the following 5 training sets: 3 sets of muscle training at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction, 1 set of aerobic exercise, and 1 set of balance training. For the nutritional intervention, 6 g of BCAAs or 6 g of maltodextrin was consumed 10 min before starting the exercise. We determined upper and lower limb isometric strength, performance on the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Up and Go test, and activity level. In the comparison between the BCAA group and the control group after crossover, the improvement rates in gross lower limb muscle strength (leg press, knee extension) and FRT performance were significantly greater (by approximately 10%) in the BCAA group. In the comparison between different orders of BCAA administration, significant effects were shown for the leg press in both groups only when BCAAs were given. The combination of BCAA intake and exercise therapy yielded significant improvements in gross lower limb muscle strength and dynamic balance ability.
Background: Improving lower limb muscle strength is important in preventing progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and its symptoms. Exercise with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation has been reported to affect protein anabolism in young and elderly persons. However, few studies provided daily BCAAs for patients with OA. Objective: This study examined the effects of combined BCAAs and exercise therapy on physical function improvement in women with hip OA scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. Methods: The subjects were 43 women with OA (age: 64.2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]9.4). The participants were randomly divided into two groups: BCAA ([Formula: see text]) and control ([Formula: see text]). The combined therapy was carried out for one month. Exercise intervention involved hip abductor muscle exercise in both groups. For the nutritional intervention, 6[Formula: see text]g of BCAAs or 1.2[Formula: see text]g of starch were consumed within 10[Formula: see text]min before starting the exercise. Results: There was a marginally significant difference in the main effect between the groups in 10-m timed gait time. The improvement rate in hip abductor muscle strength of the contralateral side was significantly greater in the BCAA group. Conclusion: By combining BCAA intake and exercise therapy, a significant improvement in hip abductor muscle strength of the contralateral side was achieved in women with OA.
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