Table 4.

Whey and exercise intervention trials with the older adult. SOD: superoxide dismutase; CAT: catalase; TRAP: total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter; AOPP: advanced oxidation protein products; LST: lean soft tissue; CSA: cross-sectional area; IL-6: interleukin 6; WPS: whey protein supplementation; SPPB: Short Physical Performance Battery; FRAP: ferric reducing antioxidant power; GSH: glutathione; * power calculation to determine number of subjects was performed.

Cohort	Whey Source, Dosage, Duration	Outcome of Whey Supplementation	Reference
n = 70 ≥ 60 years, females Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled	26 weeks 35 g hydrolyzed whey protein (Lacprodan, Arla Foods) Exercise = chest press, horizontal leg press, seated row, knee extension, preacher curl, leg curl, triceps pushdown, and seated calf raise Whey n = 47	↓ Uric acid V maltodextrin. ↑ SOD, CAT and TRAP V time zero ↓ AOPP and lipid hydroperoxide V time zero	[76]
n = 70 ≥ 60 year, females Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled	26 weeks 35 g hydrolyzed whey protein (Lacprodan, Arla Foods) Exercise = chest press, knee extension & preacher curl Whey n = 47	↑ Total lean soft tissue, appendicular LST, lower LST & V time zero and maltodextrin ↓ 10-min walk speed and rising from seated position V time zero equal to maltodextrin ↑ Knee extension, preachers curls, chest press and total strength V time zero equal to maltodextrin	[75]
n = 31, 67.4 ± 4.0 years, females 8-week pre-conditioned resistance training Randomised, double-blind controlled	12 weeks 35 g hydrolysed whey protein (Lacprodan, Arla Foods) Exercise = chest press, knee extension and preacher curl Whey n = 13	↑ Chest press, knee extension, preacher curl, total strength, lean soft tissue, muscle mass, muscle quality index V 8-week exercise alone ↑ Chest press, knee extension total strength V maltodextrin with exercise	[77]
* n = 75, aged 65–80 years, females Randomised, single-blind controlled.	24 weeks 22.3 g whey protein (Ezaki Glico) Exercise = rising and sitting from a chair, and leg extension with resistance band exercises Whey n = 54	Exercise + whey > exercise > whey for ↑ limb muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, knee extension, gait speed	[78]
* n = 149 aged 78.5 ± 5.4 years, males and females Randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled	6-month period whey protein 20 g + Vitamin D 800 IU (Nestle Health Science) Exercise = 30 min aerobic + 20 min strength Whey n = 74	↑ Normal density muscle V controls (a low-calorie placebo drink -30 kcal, no protein, no Vitamin D) and time zero ↓ Low-density muscle V time zero ↓ Intermuscular fat V controls and time zero ↑ Knee flexor strength, power and quality for both supplemented and control groups V baseline values	[79,80]
* n = 80 aged 70–85 years, males and females Randomised, double-blind, controlled	6 months Whey protein concentrate 40 g/daily (Innovative food processors Inc.) Exercise = walking or stationary cycling, knee extension and leg press Whey n = 42	↑ Knee extensor power, total lean mass, total mid-thigh CSA, total muscle CSA and total normal density muscle CSA V maltodextrin ↑ Peak power for double leg press V time zero, but similar to maltodextrin ↓ Stair climb and chair rise time V time zero	[81]
* n = 46 aged ≥60 – 86 years, males and females Randomised, single-blind	16 weeks Leucine (0.03 g/kg/meal) enriched whey protein (0.5 g/kg/day) (MyProtein) Exercise = leg press, chest press and bicep curl Whey n = 22	↑ Leg press, chest press and bicep curl V time zero, no differences between whey + exercise or exercise groups ↑ SPPB score V time zero	[82]
* n = 100 aged 69 ± 6 years, males and females Randomised, single-blind, controlled	16 weeks Leucine (0.03 g/kg/meal) enriched whey protein (0.5 g/kg/day) (MyProtein) Exercise = leg press, chest press, calf press, shoulder press, seated row, back extension and bicep curl Whey n = 45	Rectus femoris and bicep femoris were more resistant to fatigue for both exercise intervention V time zero No additional benefit with supplementation of whey	[83]
n = 65, aged = 60–93 years, hospitalised males and females Single-blind test, controlled	Length of hospital stay 24 g of whey protein Rehabilitation programme Whey n = 27	↑ Grip strength, knee extensor force V time zero improved gait speed, and timed up and go V time zero ↓ IL-6 V time zero for both WPS group & control group (hot cereal and milk products - WPS) ˃↓ in % change of IL-6 V controls (hot cereal and milk products - WPS)	[84]
* n = 165 aged >70 years, males and females hospitalised subjects Block randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled	Length of hospitalization and 12 weeks after discharge A protein-enriched, milk-based supplement beverage–26.25 g whey protein (Protino, Arla foods) Exercise = bridging exercise, rising from a chair, and heel-raise Whey n = 83	No noted benefit of whey protein supplementation Iso-energetic placebo-products (<1.5 g protein) = improved 30 sec chair stand test, 4 m gait speed, ↑ handgrip strength V time zero	[85,86]
n = 69 aged 52.5 ± 15.2 years, males and females. Double-blind, cross-over study	30 days Whey based oral supplement-10 g/day (ProtherSOD) Exercise = cycle ergometer Whey n = 13	↑ FRAP and GSH levels V time zero and casein ↓ AOPP V time zero and casein	[87]