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Dietary choline affects strength gains in elderly people
Author(s) -
Lee Chang Woock,
Lee Teak V.,
Chen Vincent C.W.,
Bui Steve,
Riechman Steven E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.618.5
Subject(s) - choline , acetylcholine , muscle strength , medicine , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , zoology , resistance training , biology
Background Choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, which transmits neural signals to skeletal muscle. Thus, dietary choline may affect muscle contraction and exercise performance by mediating availability of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. We examined the effects of choline consumption on muscle responses to resistance exercise training (RET) in the elderly. Methods Two groups of healthy untrained 50–69 year old men and women underwent 12 weeks of RET (3x/week, 3 sets, 8–12 reps, 70% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM)). Each group consumed <350 mg/day (Low, mean=210.1±20 mg/d, n=17) or >350 mg/day (Adequate, mean=461.7±19 mg/d, n=19) of dietary choline during the study period. Body composition and maximum strength were measured before and after training. Results Significant differences in strength (leg press 1RM + chest press 1RM) gains were observed between the groups (Low: 49.3±12kg vs. Adequate: 88.8±11kg, p<0.05/Low: 22.8±7% vs. Adequate: 46.8±7%, p<0.05) with ANCOVA analysis (covariate: gender) which was consistent with regression analysis (β=0.376, r 2 = 0.187, p<0.01). There was no difference in lean mass gain between the groups (Low: 1.49±0.3kg vs. Adequate: 1.92±0.3kg, p>0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that variability of dietary choline intake may affect strength gains in elderly people possibly through its effect on neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) availability.