Low Intake of Choline Is Associated with Diminished Strength and Lean Mass Gains in Older Adults

• Published in: The Journal of frailty & aging 2023-01, Vol.12 (1), p.78-83
• Main Authors: Lee, C W, Galvan, E, Lee, T V, Chen, V C W, Bui, S, Crouse, S F, Fluckey, J D, Smith, S B, Riechman, S E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adequacy; Aged; Body Composition; Cholesterol; Choline; Diabetes; Diet; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Musculoskeletal system; Nutrients; Nutrition research; Older people; Physical fitness; Physiological processes; Proteins; Resistance Training; Software
• ISSN: 2260-1341; 2273-4309
• DOI: 10.14283/jfa.2022.50

Choline is an essential micronutrient for many physiological processes related to exercise training including biosynthesis of acetylcholine. Though dietary choline intake has been studied in relation to endurance training and performance, none have studied it during resistance exercise training (RET) in older adults. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between choline intake and muscle responses to RET in older adults. Forty-six, 60-69-year-old individuals (M=19, F=27) underwent 12 weeks of RET (3x/week, 3 sets, 8-12 reps, 75% of maximum strength [1RM], 8 exercises). Body composition (DEXA) and 1RM tests were performed before and after training. After analyzing 1,656 diet logs (3x/week, 46 participants, 12 weeks), participants' mean choline intakes were categorized into three groups: Low (2.9-5.5 mg/kg lean/d), Med-Low (5.6-8.0 mg/kg lean/d), or Adequate (8.1-10.6 mg/kg lean/d). These correspond to