How different doses of 'Super-whey' affect muscle building in older adults
Official title: Assessing the Dose-response of Muscle Protein Synthesis to "Super-whey" at Rest and in Response to Acute Exercise in Older Adults
Run by University of Nottingham · NCT05700058 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This tests whether different doses of a leucine-rich 'Super-whey' protein help older adults increase muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Nottingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Derby) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 31, 2023 |
| Main results expected | September 2026 |
| Study ends | October 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05700058 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65+ (with a young adult comparator group aged 18–35) who can safely perform resistance exercise, have BMI between 18 and 35 kg/m2, and do not have major cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, clotting conditions or lactose intolerance.
✕Probably not a fit
People with uncontrolled heart, lung, or metabolic disease, clotting or major neurological disorders, lactose intolerance, BMI <18 or >35, or those unable to perform resistance exercise are unlikely to be eligible or receive benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Older and young adult volunteers will receive varying doses of a leucine-rich 'Super-whey' protein supplement combined with resistance exercise to measure acute muscle protein synthesis responses. Participants are screened for cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, clotting, and lactose-intolerance exclusions and must fall within a specified BMI range. Researchers will compare dose-related changes in muscle protein synthesis between age groups to define a dose-response relationship. The protocol uses laboratory-based measures and on-site visits at a single clinical research center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify the best protein dose to help older adults preserve or rebuild muscle and maintain independence.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials with leucine-rich whey protein have shown increased muscle protein synthesis in older adults, but the optimal dosing and precise dose-response remain uncertain.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant is in the desired age-ranges (young adults: 18-35 years; older adults: 65+ years). * Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Participant is physically able to perform resistance exercise Exclusion Criteria: * A BMI \<18 or \>35 kg/m2 * Active cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or respiratory disease: e.g. uncontrolled hypertension (BP \> 160/100), angina, heart failure (class III/IV), arrhythmia, right to left cardiac shunt, recent cardiac event, COPD, pulmonary hypertension or recent (6 mo) stroke * Any metabolic disease * Clotting dysfunction * A history of, or current neurological or musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. epilepsy) * Lactose intolerance * Having taken part in a research study in the last 3 months involving invasive procedures or an inconvenience allowance
Where it's running
-
Centre of Ageing, Metabolism and Physiology
Derby, United Kingdom Recruiting
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Sarcopenia in Patients After Cardiac Surgery
This observational study tests how common sarcopenia is after cardiac surgery and whether current care helps improve muscle mass and function.
-
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell injection for sarcopenia
This study tests whether CG-BM1, a stem cell injection, can be safely given to adults with sarcopenia to see if it helps improve muscle health.
-
GLP-1 receptor agonist use and muscle health in adults with obesity without diabetes
This study tests whether GLP-1 receptor agonists affect muscle mass and strength in adults with obesity who don’t have diabetes.
-
Sarcopenia and Epidural Steroid Injections in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
We’re testing how sarcopenia relates to pain, function, and quality of life after a routine interlaminar epidural steroid injection in people with lumbar spinal stenosis.
-
Using Multimodal Ultrasound to Check Muscle Mass in Metabolic Disease Patients
This study tests whether a multimodal ultrasound approach can accurately measure muscle mass in people with metabolic syndrome, obesity, sarcopenia, or type 2 diabetes.
-
Lower-limb rehabilitation robot training with nutrition education for sarcopenia
In adults aged 60 and older with sarcopenia, this study tests whether adding robot-assisted leg training to nutrition education can improve muscle mass and walking ability compared with usual care.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.