Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is broad and diverse. Scientists and various allied health professionals, including registered dietitians-nutritionists, physicians, nurses, and physical therapists, are appropriate audiences. In addition, numerous media outlets as well as various consumers and consumer agencies focused on wellness, active lifestyles, and healthy aging comprise appropriate target audiences for this work. This research initiative continued to receive national attention as the PI provided invited lectures across the country. Selected presentations included "Protein Quality: EssentialConsiderations for the BUILT Athlete" (Keynote, DairyMax Built Sports Nutrition Seminar, June 9, 2018 at The STAR Dallas Cowboys Facility, Dallas, TX); "Is Protein the Missing Link in the Obesity Story? a keynote at the Delaware Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Meeting on April 27, 2018 in Dover, DE); "Practical Nutrition Strategies for Strength Athletes" at the New England ACSM/National Strength and Condition Association Spring Meeting on April 20, 2018 in North Andover, MA; and "Protein, Exercise, and Healthy Aging: What's the Connection?" at the Massachusetts Dietitians in longterm care meeting (MADHCC Spring Meeting, March 6, 2018, Worcester, MA). As a contemporary mode of exercise, it is anticipated that the total number of yoga practitioners in the U.S. will exceed 55 million by 2020. This was a timely and productive project. A second manuscript, "Higher protein intake is beneficial to muscle protein utilization and function in middle healthy middle-aged adults", is in preparation for submission to the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Changes/Problems:Per prior reports, the only modification to the respective approach was the removal of assessments of fat oxidation using 13C-palmitate. This protocol was removed due to complications with and challenges in intravenous stable-isotope infusions documented by others with this method and associated safety concerns for study participants. While fat oxidation was not evaluated using this particular technique, results from indirect calorimetry which were included in the reported peer-reviewed scientific article demonstrated higher rates of fat oxidation by yogis compared to their inactive counterparts suggesting a benefit of habitual yoga practice to favorable body composition outcomes (i.e., while BMI was similar for yogis and their less active counterparts, yogis had greater lean body mass and less body fat). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The work done for this project served to resurrect non-invasive whole body stable isotope techniques for current and planned research investigations focused on whole body and muscle protein metabolism in the PI's research laboratory. This effort provided various teaching and training opportunities for graduate students in the PI's lab as well as extended application in the required Department graduate course, Macronutrient Metabolism. With specific regard for professional development, a doctoral student in the PI's laboratory will be completing a supervised independent study project investigating these techniques in the context of proteomics in the University of Connecticut's Metabolomic and Proteomic Core Facility in the Spring 2019. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated at professional meetings and conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. Results have been shared through various media outlets including magazine and print interviews as well as via a professional video highlighting study directives and accomplishments that was circulated locally and nationally (e.g, youtube.com). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
With the exception of work specific to fat oxidation, stated goals were met. During this reporting period, a draft of a 2nd manuscript for submission early in 2019 was completed and public dissemination of findings with accompanying recommendations was undertaken as described in previous section.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Colletto, M and NR Rodriguez. Routine yoga practice improves whole body protein balance in healthy middle-aged women. J Aging Phys Act. 2018 26(1):68-74.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Protein, Exercise, and Healthy Aging: Whats the Connection? . MADHCC (Massachusetts Association for Dietitians in Health Care Centers)Spring Meeting, March 6, 2018, Worcester, MA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Practical Nutrition Strategies for Strength Athletes . New England ACSM/National Strength and Condition Association Spring Meeting, April 20, 2018. North Andover, MA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Is Protein the Missing Link in the Obesity Story" Delaware Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Meeting, April 27, 2018, Dover, DE.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Protein Quality: Essential�Considerations for the BUILT Athlete . Keynote, DairyMax Built Sports Nutrition Seminar. June 9, 2018. The STAR Dallas Cowboys Facility, Dallas, TX.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Scientist and health professionals (i.e., registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists), media, and the general university population as well as various consumers and consumer agencies focused on healthy aging comprise target audiences for this reporting period. At the University level the communications department worked with the PI to develop a written document as well as a video that highlighted this project. In the University news, UCONN Today, an article titled "Yoga helps preserve muscle mass in older women'" was distributed throughout the University and associated branches. This article was also part of a publication at the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) that was a special edition devoted to the UCHC Center for Aging event for 2017. In addition, a professionally prepared video was featured on the University website and is accessible on YouTube. The video is titled, "Yoga: Optimal Exercise for Aging". At the National level the PI's work has been highlighted in various popular magazine and she is a frequent invited speaker at Live Well events (Austin, TX, May 2017) and state meetings for organizations focused on healthy aging initiatives. One peer-reviewed research publication published. Another manuscript is being prepared and publication is anticipated for 2018 for notation in the final report. Changes/Problems:The only change for the project was omission of study protocols specific to 13C Palmitate. This work was removed as intravenous infusion of the stable isotope is required for this method. The decision was made to use a non-invasive method for whole body protein turnover assessments. This method allowed the work to be done in free-living situations which allow for effective translation to practice, for the public, health professionals, and the consumer. The 13C palmitate method is invasive and could not be executed in a timely and cost-effective manner in the defined project period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This research was the basis for several conferences and workshops.The graduate student working on this project received training in experimental design and data analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In April 2017, this work was featured on the University of Connecticut home page; a professional video was prepared by the University's Communications officeand featured as well. On December 7, 2017, the PI led a 2 hour workshop (Fall 2017 State Elderly Nutrition Program Training) on Healthy Aging for the Connecticut State Department on Aging, the Aging Services Division, in Hartford, CT. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Publication of the 6 month intervention study is anticipated for the next reporting period. Analysis and interpretation of qualitative aspects of the study (i.e., quality of life questionnaire) is also planned.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
With the exception of objectives specific to the 13C palmitate stable isotope method, aforementioned objectives for the project were accomplished. In brief, a 6 month diet intervention study evaluating whole body protein utilization and functional outcome measures in middle aged men and women who did and did not routinely practice ashtanga/vinyasa yoga was fully executed. The diet intervention consisted of adequate (RDA for protein) and optimal (double the RDA for protein) dietary protein levels for yogis and controls. Higher protein intakes were accomplished by incorporating a whey protein supplement. Protein intake was distributed throughout the day in meals and snacks. A manuscript focused on whole body protein utilization measures and functional outcomes is in preparation for submission in a peer reviewed journal in early 2018. Specifically, results from this study showed that yoga has potential benefits to use of protein by the body that may translate to maintenance of muscle mass and function as healthy, active men and women age. With specific regard to protein intake, preliminary data analyses indicate that higher consumption of dietary protein - in excess of the RDA but well within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range - supported by whey protein supplementation was affected protein-related metabolicoutcomes throughout the 6 month diet intervention. At 2 weeks and 3 months, higher protein intake(1.6 g/kg vs 0.8g/kg, RDA) upregulated protein turnover by the body including increases in protein synthesis and protein breakdown. However, by 6 months these differences were less apparent with the most notable change being lower rates of protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown in the low protein-control group. This observation indicates that higher protein intake is supports better protein utilization in middle-aged men and women who practice yoga as well as those who do not. For the low protein intervention, the routine practice of yoga in the absence of higher protein intake provided some benefit to protein use by the body. These results and observations are the basis for the manuscript currently in preparation.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Colletto, M and NR Rodriguez. Routine yoga practice improves whole body protein balance in healthy middle-aged women. J Aging Phys Act. 2018 26(1):68-74. (Published online, April 2017)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Protein and Active Aging: Considerations for Protein Quantity and Quality, Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Meeting, March 28, 2017, Blacksburg, VA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Protein and Active Aging: Considerations for Protein Quantity and Quality, New England Regional Elderly Nutrition Conference, April 6, 2017, Portsmouth, NH.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Protein Needs of the Elderly: Considerations for Quantity and Quality. Annual Meeting, Dietitians in Health Care Communities, April 12, 2017, Detroit, MI
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Foods to Fuel Performance and Better Living: The Power of Protein for Active Aging. Live Well Workshop, May 16, 2017, Austin, TX.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences during this reporting period include allied health professionals including registered dietitians and exercise physiologists, media, and the general university population as well as the consumer. At the University level, these communications were initiated through public relations and include the preparation of written materials for dissemination of findings and research directives in College and University media outlets. At the National level, the PI has participate in activities specific to Live Well events which include nutrition professionals - primarily registered dietitians-nutritionists - who write for various popular health and fitness magazines or have their own media outlets including popular blogs and websites. At the University level the audiences extend to the University of ConnecticutHealth Center Faculty and staff and respective events. One manuscript was submitted and publication will be noted innext reporting period. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided opportunities for lectures at local and national conferences on the role of yoga as an alternative mode of exercise for maintaining muscle for active aging. Further, the work has served as a foundation for ongoing efforts in the PI's laboratory regarding not only the essential role of increased dietary protein intake in maintaining muscle and promoting wellness, but the critical importance of protein quality. Invited presentations on active aging occurred with the most prominent being one of two speakers at a major symposium and the annual meeting of the Academy and Dietetics, FNCE (Food and Nutrition Expo), in Boston in October 2016 and 2 Webinars, one for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior in August 2016 and a National Webinar sponsored by the National Dairy Council in September 2016. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In addition to the aforementioned presentations and invited lectures, this work has provided a platform for an article planned for Univiersity of Connecticut Health Center magazine focusing on aging research and initiatives as well as exposure at the medical school's White Coat Gala in March 2017. There have been interviews for popular magazines including Family Circle (April 2016), Health Magazine (April 2016), Muscle and Fitness Magazine (February 2016) and Martha Stewart Living (October 2016). Also, an article following an interview was highlighted on CNN's website in November 2016). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period a second manuscript will be submitted for publication. Analyzing and interpretingdata specific to Quality of Life for manuscript development is also planned. Investigation is currently underway to identify new initiatives for extramural funding to build a research platform and secure resources for continued study of yoga, dietary protein, and healthy, active aging.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Data collection and analyses, as well as interpretation are completed. All goals were accomplished specific to the amended protocols; the removal of work specific to assessing fat oxidation.The first of 2 manuscripts (previously identified) has moved through 2nd revision and review and is currently undergoing 'minor' revision and is on track for publication in 2017. In addition, funds are being sought to implement a 'virtual biopsy' protocol currently in use in the PI's laboratory in a yoga training study moving forward.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project is varied and ranges from investigators in the areas of protein utilization, healthy aging, exercise metabolism, energy balance and protein intake, to practitioners and allied health professionals focused on delivering information regardinghealthy lifestyles that focus on eating and exercising for healthy aging and quality of life throughout older years. The intent is the eventual translation of this work to educating the consumer - healthy men and women - on approaches to healthy aging.The ultimate focus of this project is to consider approaches and produce valid evidence that will contribute to the reduction and management ofsarcopenia (loss of muscle mass with aging). Changes/Problems:To date, there have been no problems with this project. However, there is no longer a plan to establish and implement 13C-palmitate methodology to evaluate whole body fat metabolism in response to routine practice of yoga. This method is more invasive and not feasible in the free living population studied in the present investigation. A more practical methodology for this particular metabolic assessment is not currently available. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI participated in a 4 day workshop, Living Well, in Austin, TX inApril 2015. This workshop focused on the role of dietary protein in healthful aging. In addition, work from this project was presented and served as foundation for educating science writers, nutritionists, and allied health professionals regarding the interactive benefit of routine yoga practice and a healthy diet pattern that includes high quality protein at all meals in optimizing muscle mass and function throughout older years. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?While the aforementioned training and professional development workshop took place, dissemination of study results has also occurred at national scientific meetings per prior progress reports. The submission of data considered in this report is considered essential to establishing the novelty of this work at a National and International level and will constitute the foundation for work currently underwayfor publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals so continued extramural support can be pursued for future studies. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Per last year's report, data was collected to evaluate significance of protein intake during the meal prior to initiating whole body protein utilization assessments with the 15N-Glycine model employed in this study. The manuscript is in preparation for submission. Further, the impact of increased protein intake on measures documented in this report will be determined. Finally, researchers intend to implementthe 'virtual biopsy' protocol described in this report to evaluative the role of higher protein intakes on skeletal muscle recovery in response to rehabilitative exercise in healthy active young adults.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The accomplishments this year are specific to middle-aged women. During the course of this year data were further evaluated to determine whether gender differences existed and the impact of findings to overall study goals. In brief, the following data are specific to female participants who routinely practiced asthanga yoga compared to their essentially non-exercising counterparts. Findings validated a positive effect of routine yoga practice on whole body net protein balance with protein synthesis and protein balance being greater in yogis. Characteristics of female participants are shown in Table 1. While a homogenous group of women, yogis were leaner than their non- exercising counterparts. Table 1. Subject Characteristics YOGA (n=8) CON (n=14) Age (y) 56 ± 2 54 ± 1 Height (in) 63.6 ± 1.0 62.3 ± 0.7 Weight (kg) 68.3 ± 3.5 69.5 ± 3.7 BMI (kg/m2) 23.6 ± 0.9 25.5 ± 0.7 Waist circumference (in) 29.9 ± 1.2 32.2 ± 0.9 Body Composition Lean body mass (%) 63.7 ± 1.2 ** 58.2 ± 1.1 Body fat (%) 32.2 ± 1.2 ** 38.1 ± 1.2 BMD (g/cm2) 1.1 ± 0.03 1.1 ± 0.02 Values are reported as means ± SEM; *different between groups p ≤ 0.05 or ** p < 0.01 Female participants who routinely practiced Ashtanga yoga had greater rates of whole body protein synthesis and a more positive NET protein balance than women in the control group (Table 2) although energy intake and diet composition (data not shown) were essentially the same between groups. Table 2.Protein Utilization and Nitrogen Balance for YOGA and CON YOGA (n=8) CON (n=14) Women Women Q (g N·kg-1·day-1) 0.63 ± 0.05 0.72 ± 0.06 PS (g N·kg-1·day-1) 3.11 ± 0.32 3.49 ± 0.35 PB (g N·kg-1·day-1) 2.29 ± 0.58** 3.78 ± 0.29 NET (g N·kg-1·day-1) 0.81 ± 0.51* -.10 ± 0.22 NBAL -3.37 ±1.14 -1.73 ± 0.81 Values are reported as means ± SEM; *different between groups p ≤ 0.05 or ** p < 0.01 Further, measures of muscle function (leg balance) and strength (hand grip strength) were not different between groups. In total, study findings document a benefit of routine yoga practice to whole body protein utilizations in support of yoga as an alternative mode of exercise for maintaining muscle mass and preventing sarcopenia in healthy active middle-aged women.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Rodriguez, NR. Introduction to Protein Summit 2.0: Continued exploration of the impact of high quality protein on optimal health. Am J Clin Nutr 2015 101(suppl): 1317S-1319S.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Paddon-Jones, D, Campbell WW, Jacques PF, Kritchevsky SB, Moore LL, Rodriguez NR, van Loon LJ. Protein and healthy aging. Am J Clin Nutr 2015 101 (suppl): 1339S-1345S.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Presentations specific to this work were made at Live Well Conference (March 2014,Austin, TX) organized by the National Cattleman's Beef Association for registered dietitians and health professionals from around the country. Attendees also included journalists and representatives of various social media outlets.In addition, faculty from various land grant universities were also in attendance and participatedon panel. Work was also shared at Whey Protein Advisory Panel meeting in Chicago (November 2014). Proposal accepted and presentation scheduled at National American College of Sports Medicine Health Fitness Summit in Phoenix, AX, April 2015. The latter audience will includea broad spectrum of allied health professionals and scientists. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Dr. Megan Colletto, the postdoctoral fellow working on this project completed 1 year of yoga teacher training with intent of creating a yoga intervention to incorporate in future experimental design to better control yoga practice during a longer intervention study aimed at evaluating the effect of yoga and level of habitual dietary protein intake on maintenance of muscle mass with aging. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been shared at various scientific and professional conferences and resulted in a platform for further dissemination at other scientific and professional meetings in 2015. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The plan is to submit multiple extramural proposals and secure additional research dollars to conduct a larger scale exercise and diet intervention study. In addition, the project director has partnered with other faculty at the University of Connecticut on a yoga project in college students.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 was accomplished and a manuscript was submitted and is currently being revised per reviewers' directives. A longer term yoga intervention is in development for extramural proposal application. In brief, before diet intervention, we found that habitual yoga practitioners had a higher resting fat oxidation and a better net protein balance. In addition, yogis had better standing balance, less body fat, and tended to have higher lean body mass and handgrip strength. Increasing protein intake increased protein turnover. At 6 months, net protein balance was positive for yogis on the high protein diet and negative for yogis on the lower protein diet. The difference between the groups was significant, suggesting that while 0.8 g/kg/d is the current RDA, for middle-aged adults practicing yoga, it may be inadequate for lean body mass maintenance. Substrate utilization was not different between yoga groups at baseline, but by 6 months those on the high protein diet tended to have higher resting fat oxidation. Yogis on the higher protein diet had greater dominant handgrip strength and were the only group that did not experience a decrease in grip strength over the 6 month long study. Protein did not Further data analyses is underway for Goal 2. In addition, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of timing or protein intake on validity of the stable isotope model employed for characterizing whole body protein utilization. With regard to protein timing and isotope model,changing the distribution of protein throughout the day effected protein utilization indicating the amount of protein consumed at dinner should be controlled for model to be valid. Further studies must be done in order to determine the appropriate method of assessing whole body protein metabolism. We believe that a future study could evaluate WBPTO using a different model but same study design, i.e. 13 C leucine in place of 15 N glycine.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Colletto, M, J Rodriguez, N Rodriguez. Routine yoga practice influences whole body protein utilization. Revised and resubmitted to Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise.
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