Fatigue is a strong predictor of negative health outcomes in older adults. The research in this study will compared the effects of 8-weeks of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs: dietary supplements commonly taken to improve muscle growth and exercise performance) added to exercise on fatigue compared to exercise with a placebo (an inactive, harmless substance). BCAAs could have an impact on improving fatigue common in older adults, especially when exercising.
Thirty participants will be asked to participate in this research study. They will be randomized (like a flip of a coin) to exercise + a placebo or exercise + BCAAs for 8 weeks. We would like to examine the effects of the 8-week exercise + dietary supplement program on body composition (fat and muscle), physical activity habits, fatigue, and physical performance (such as walking and strength). We would also like to assess whether these outcomes are controlled by changes in markers (kynurenine metabolites) in the skeletal muscle and blood.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
20
Participants will participate in high-volume, moderate-intensity exercise 3x/week and consume either a placebo or BCAA (\~7-10 g of BCAAs (100 mg/kg) daily for eight weeks.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Fatigue
Participants will complete the Fatigue Assessment Scale questionnaire (Total scores can range from 10, indicating the lowest level of fatigue, to 50, denoting the highest)
Time frame: change from baseline to 8 weeks
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