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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Dioscorea esculenta Intake with Resistance Training Improves Muscle Quantity and Quality in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2023-05-24
  • Nutrients 15(11)
    • Keiko Iemitsu
    • Shumpei Fujie
    • Masataka Uchida
    • Kenichiro Inoue
    • Yasushi Shinohara
    • Motoyuki Iemitsu

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 66
Population
66 volunteers (21 males/45 females; age 53 ± 5 years; body weight 61 ± 11 kg; BMI 24 ± 4 kg)
Methods
Double-blind trial; participants randomly divided into four groups: sedentary-control with placebo, sedentary with Dioscorea, resistance training with placebo, resistance training with Dioscorea; resistance training sessions using elastic bands performed 3 days/week; Dioscorea esculenta tablets ingested at 2000 mg/day once per day
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear
  • Rigorous Journal
Resistance training and Dioscorea esculenta intake have a positive effect on muscle. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether 12-week Dioscorea esculenta intake combined with resistance exercise more effectively improves muscle quantity, quality, and cardiometabolic parameters in healthy middle-aged and older adults. This study is a double-blind trial with 66 volunteers (21 males/45 females; age 53 ± 5 years; body weight 61 ± 11 kg; BMI 24 ± 4 kg) who were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary-control with placebo (Sed and PL) or Dioscorea (Sed and Dio) and resistance training with placebo (RT and PL) or Dioscorea (RT and Dio). Resistance training sessions using elastic bands were performed 3 days/week for a 12-week period. Dioscorea esculenta tablets were ingested at 2000 mg/day once per day. The RT and Dio group showed greater improvements in the femoris muscle's thickness, echo intensity for the rectus femoris (index of muscle quality), and the five times sit-to-stand test compared to that of the Sed and PL group; the echo intensity in the RT and Dio group further improved compared to those in the Sed and Dio, and RT and PL groups (p < 0.05). The circulating levels of C1q (a potential biomarker of muscle fibrosis) in the RT and Dio group were significantly lower than those in the Sed and PL, and Sed and Dio groups (p < 0.05). Chronic Dioscorea esculenta intake combined with low-intensity resistance exercise may more effectively improve muscle quantity and quality indices in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

Research Insights

  • the five times sit-to-stand test compared to that of the Sed and PL group

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    2000 mg/day
  • echo intensity for the rectus femoris (index of muscle quality) ... the echo intensity in the RT and Dio group further improved compared to those in the Sed and Dio, and RT and PL groups (p < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    2000 mg/day
  • The RT and Dio group showed greater improvements in the femoris muscle's thickness

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    2000 mg/day
  • The circulating levels of C1q (a potential biomarker of muscle fibrosis) in the RT and Dio group were significantly lower than those in the Sed and PL, and Sed and Dio groups (p < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    2000 mg/day
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