The Impact of Beef on Muscle Fatigue in Older Adults

NCT05860088 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 14941
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this controlled-feeding cross-over diet intervention is to compare a beef diet to a vegetarian diet on muscle fatigue in older adults. The aims are: AIM 1: To test the hypothesis that muscle fatigue is attenuated in older adults consuming beef compared to older adults consuming a plant-based diet. AIM2: To test the hypothesis that daily beef consumption improves biochemical indicators related to muscle fatigue. Participants will be randomized to consume either a beef-based diet or vegetarian diet under controlled-feeding conditions for 8 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, participants will cross-over to consume either the beef diet or vegetarian diet for 8 weeks. Body composition and functional muscle outcomes will be measured during each 8-week feeding period. Blood samples will also be collected.

Conditions

Older Adults; Muscle Weakness; Muscle; Fatigue, Heart

Keywords

Body Composition; Older Adults; Diet; Vegetarian; Meat; Beef; Controlled Feeding; Intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Sit-to-Stand Chair Test

  The change in muscle strength observed in each diet condition will be evaluated through the Sit-To-Stand Chair Test. The number of times a participant comes to a full standing position (from a seated position) in 60 seconds will be recorded.

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

• Change in 6-minute walk

  The change in muscle strength observed in each diet condition will be evaluated through the 6-Minute-Walk-Test. The distance walked by a participant during the 6 minute test period will be recorded.

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

• Retention of Participants

  The percentage of randomized participants completing the 16-week diet intervention trial.

  Through study completion, approximately 16 weeks

• Adherence to Study Diets

  Participant adherence to the study diets will be evaluated.

  Through study completion, approximately 16 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Lactate

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

• Change in Beta-Alanine

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

• Change in Carnosine

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

• Change in Amino Acids

  Weeks 0, 4, 8

Study Arms (2)

Beef Diet

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be randomized to consume the beef diet for 8 weeks. After a 2-week period, participants will cross-over to consume the vegetarian diet for 8 weeks.

Other: Beef Diet

Vegetarian Diet

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be randomized to consume the vegetarian diet for 8 weeks. After a 2-week period, participants will cross-over to consume the beef diet for 8 weeks.

Other: Vegetarian Diet

Interventions

Beef Diet OTHER

Controlled-Feeding Diet Intervention

Beef Diet

Vegetarian Diet OTHER

Controlled-Feeding Diet Intervention

Vegetarian Diet

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Ages 60-85 years
• Ability to eat study diet meals for a total of 16 weeks
• Ability to perform sit-to-stand chair and 6-minute walking tests based on results from PAR-Q questionnaire
• Ability to provide fasted blood samples
• Access to transportation
• Willing to abstain from alcohol consumption and/or use illicit drug use for each 8-week intervention period
• Ability to consent to participating in this study
• English-speaking
• Body mass index between 18.5 (normal) and 39.9 (obese) kg/m2
• Minimum total body weight of 110 pounds
• Non-anemia hemoglobin values: Females - \>12.0 grams/dL; Men - \>13.0 grams/dL
• Able to ambulate without assistance
• Physician's clearance for study participation (required prior to baseline testing)

You may not qualify if:

• Inability or refusal to sign the informed consent
• Significant orthopedic limitations or other contraindications to exercise
• Inability or refusal to perform muscle fatigue tests
• Has dietary restrictions that prevent to consumption of beef, soy and/or wheat
• Has liver or kidney complications
• Live or work \>25 miles from Bloomington study site or does not have transportation to the study site
• Anticipate elective surgery during the study period
• Diagnosis of progressive neurological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
• Fracture or serious injury in the last 6 months
• Stroke, revascularization, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism in the past 12 months
• Severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled systemic hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease
• Plan to move residence or travel out of the local area during the study period
• Current use of anti-coagulants (e.g. Coumadin or Warfarin)
• Current use of prescription medications that affect heart rate or blood vessel dilation
• Psychological or social characteristics that would interfere with their ability to fully participate in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Indiana University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Indiana University Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle Weakness; Fatigue

Interventions

Diet, Vegetarian

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diet, Plant-Based; Diet Therapy; Nutrition Therapy; Therapeutics; Diet; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Diet, Food, and Nutrition; Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Cydne A Perry, PhD

  Indiana University, Bloomington

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor Applied Health Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2023
• First Posted: May 16, 2023
• Study Start: July 10, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 21, 2025
• Study Completion: November 21, 2025
• Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)