Find-A-Study

Do Branched Chain Amino Acids Reduce Fatigue in Older Adults?

Purpose

Fatigue is a strong predictor of negative health outcomes in older adults. The research in this study will compare the effects of 8-weeks of branched chain amino acids (BCAA: dietary supplements commonly taken to improve muscle growth and exercise performance) added to exercise compared to exercise with a placebo (inactive, harmless substance). BCAAs could have an impact on improving fatigue common in older adults, especially when exercising. We will examine the effects of an 8-week exercise program when combined with either BCAAs or a placebo 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 in the skeletal muscle and blood.

Study Contact

Principal Investigator
Monica Serra

Tiffany Cortes
(210) 450-8998
cortest@uthscsa.edu

Sandra Idar
(210) 450-0568
idars@uthscsa.edu

Eligibility

Eligible Ages: 60-80
Eligible Genders: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria

fatigue (participants reporting ≥3 on a 1-10 scale); lack of menses for at least one year for women; BMI 20-50 kg/m2; untrained with regard to structured exercise training (no more than 2x/week)

Exclusion Criteria

taking an anticoagulant medication (i.e., heparin, apixaban, rivaroxaban);

allergic to lidocaine; neurologic, musculoskeletal, or other condition that limits subject’s ability to complete study physical assessments or training; hepatic (LFTs >2.5xWNL), renal (eGFR<45), gastrointestinal, and uncontrolled psychiatric disease; cognitive impairment; consuming nutritional supplements (excluding common multi-mineral/vitamin); uncontrolled depression

Study Design

Phase: N/A
Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Condition: Fatigue
Aging

Arm Groups

Arm	Description	Intervention
Placebo Comparator Exercise + Placebo	Exercise will include a 3x/wk for eight weeks exercise protocol is designed to provide a high-volume, moderate-intensity whole body training stimulus. Placebo will include ~7-10 g of maltodextrin (100 mg/kg) daily for eight weeks.	Dietary Supplement: BCAA 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.
Experimental Exercise + BCAA	Exercise will include a 3x/wk for eight weeks exercise protocol is designed to provide a high-volume, moderate-intensity whole body training stimulus. BCAA will include ~7-10 g of BCAAs (100 mg/kg) daily for eight weeks.	Dietary Supplement: BCAA 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.

Arm

Description

Intervention

Placebo Comparator

Exercise + Placebo

Exercise will include a 3x/wk for eight weeks exercise protocol is designed to provide a high-volume, moderate-intensity whole body training stimulus. Placebo will include ~7-10 g of maltodextrin (100 mg/kg) daily for eight weeks.

Dietary Supplement: BCAA

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.

Experimental

Exercise + BCAA

Exercise will include a 3x/wk for eight weeks exercise protocol is designed to provide a high-volume, moderate-intensity whole body training stimulus. BCAA will include ~7-10 g of BCAAs (100 mg/kg) daily for eight weeks.