App-based Protein Support for Older Adults; Coaching Towards Healthy Ageing

NCT07415408 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 2 other identifiers: APPROACH25NL-010298
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rationale: Sufficient dietary protein intake helps to preserve muscle mass and strength and is a key factor in healthy ageing. Achieving an increased protein intake with regular food products has shown to be a challenge for many older adults. Applying behavioural change techniques may facilitate a more sustained improvement in protein consumption over time. Objective: To investigate whether a nutritional app intervention can increase the protein intake (with the goal of 1.2 g/kg body weight/day) of older adults, using readily available food products. Secondary and tertiary objective include the effects of the intervention on body composition and muscle strength and long-term effects on protein intake.

Conditions

Dietary Protein Intake

Keywords

dietary protein; ehealth; app; nutrition; older adults; elderly; strength exercise; whole foods

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• protein intake

  Δprotein intake relative to bodyweight (g/kg/d)

  baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• muscle mass

  baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)

• Leg muscle strength

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

• Attitude towards physical activity

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

• Attitude towards a healthy diet

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

• Functional leg muscle strength

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

Other Outcomes (10)

• Muscle strengthening activity and frequency

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

• Muscle strengthening activity duration

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

• Muscle strengthening activity types

  [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)]

Study Arms (2)

Protein and exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Only the intervention group is coached to sustainable changes in (1) the amount of protein intake (goal: 1.2 g/kg body weight/d) and (2) the efficiency of protein intake with a focus on high-quality proteins, variety in protein sources, and timing of intake. To increase applicability in daily life, we aim to achieve these goals using readily available protein products. Participants in both groups have access to the application that contains a wide range of muscle and bone-strengthening activities, as well as balance exercises that can be performed independently at home.

Behavioral: Nutritional coaching via an app; Behavioral: Exercise recommendations

Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants have only access to the application that contains a wide range of muscle and bone-strengthening activities, as well as balance exercises that can be performed independently at home. Participants do not receive nutritional recommendations.

Behavioral: Exercise recommendations

Interventions

Nutritional coaching via an app BEHAVIORAL

Coaching involves e-coaching via an app, supported by one telephone consultation. Within the SO-NUTS (preventing obesity, sarcopenia, and Sarcopenic Obesity in retirement through digital, personalised interventions for healthy NUTrition and physical activity for Seniors) project, BCTs are investigated that fit the older adult population. Insights gained from systematic review and focus group interviews are applied to the Eifit application.

Protein and exercise

Exercise recommendations BEHAVIORAL

The objective is to adhere to the 2017 physical activity guidelines as set by the Health Council of the Netherlands i.e. "Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, perform muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least twice a week in combination with balance exercises, and avoid prolonged periods of sitting." Participants in both groups have access to the application that contains a wide range of muscle and bone-strengthening activities, as well as balance exercises that can be performed independently at home. Activities such as walking, cycling, tennis, or swimming can also be added. Participants can monitor their progress themselves, and if desired, push notifications, tips, and reminders can be sent.

Exercise; Protein and exercise

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Able to use a smartphone;
• Open to make use of an application;
• Open to alter their diet;
• Able to understand and perform the study procedures;
• Sufficient command of the Dutch language.

You may not qualify if:

• Comorbidities where physical activity and/or a certain intake may be dangerous (e.g., diagnosed kidney failure);
• Pre-scribed diet (e.g. low sodium or low potassium diet) or plant-based diet;
• Use of nutritional shakes (such as meal replacements or protein shakes) during the study period. The use of nutritional supplements (such as iron or vitamin D tablets) is permitted and will be requested.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Radboud University Medical Center: lead
• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences: collaborator
• FrieslandCampina: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Radboudumc

Nijmegen, 6525 GC, Netherlands

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Participants in the exercise (active comparator) group are blinded to the real purpose of the study being 'to improve protein intake' to limit subjects bias. Meaning that the participants in the exercise group will also change their diet including their protein intake.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: January 12, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NL (1)