A new study has found that the combination of light exercise and specific nutritional supplements could help keep seniors fit for a longer period of time.
The study is the first to study the effects of structured exercise and nutritional supplements specifically on the elderly. Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University in England divided 60 seniors into two groups. One group performed moderate exercise once a week and the other performed high resistance exercise twice a week. Within those two groups, some received carbohydrate and protein supplements before and after exercise; some did not.
While all groups showed improved muscle mass and overall strength at the end of the 12-week trial, the most striking results came from the light exercise group that received supplements, according to the study. Researchers say there is still some fine-tuning to be done in order to determine the most effective levels of exercise. They presented the results of their study at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool, England on Thursday.
