Nutrition

Research & Development focused on
exercise and nutrition

Research & Development focused on exercise and nutrition

Researchers conduct an experiment at Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute

In 1984, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals established Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute, Japan's first private clinical exercise and nutrition research facility. Here we research fluid and nutrient intake under the theme of exercise and nutrition. Based on our own research findings and publicly released data, we develop science-based products and continue to research bodily fluids, electrolytes, and nutritional intake, with the aim of improving performance and supporting conditioning.

Research results from studies on the impact of BCAA drinks on athletic performance

An examination of the chronological changes of blood BCAA concentration after ingesting BCAA drinks.

An investigation of the effects of ingesting BCAA drinks on muscle protein degradation during exercise.

A study on the impact of BCAA drinks on muscle damage during long-distance running.

An examination of the influence of ingestion of BCAA drinks on muscle pain and fatigue during high intensity exercise.

An investigation into the effects of BCAA drinks on lactic acidity threshold.

A study on the effect of a continued intake of BCAA drinks on exercise performance during daily exercise.

Research results from studies on the impact of protein and glucose supplements

Consuming protein and glucose supplements immediately post-exercise is effective in increasing skeletal muscle mass.

Promoting greater muscle protein synthesis post-exercise requires not only an intake of glucose but also protein.

In the elderly, consumption of a protein and glucose supplement immediately after resistance training had an impact on changes in skeletal muscle mass and was effective in promoting growth in skeletal muscle mass immediately after exercise.

The group consuming a protein and glucose supplement showed significantly more growth over the former two groups.

The effect that protein and glucose supplement intake during a long-term, high-intensity training program has on muscle soreness and health was investigated.

Research results from studies on the effect of nutritionally balanced foods

Effects of macronutrient intake on thigh muscle mass during home-based walking training in middle-aged and older women

Okazaki K, Yazawa D, Goto M, Kamijo Y.-I, Furihata M, Gen-no H, Hamada K, Nose H
Scand J Med Sci Sports 2013; 23: 286-292

Objective

To examine how the intake of gel-type nutritional supplements after interval walking training affects skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength in middle-aged and elderly women.

Methodology

With 35 middle-aged and elderly women (age 41-78) as test subjects, a comparison test was carried out between a group who did interval walking training (IWT) only (CNT group) and a group who combined IWT and the intake of nutritional supplements (NUT group). During the five-month training period, the test subjects carried out IWT to achieve a total walking time of 60 minutes (15 minutes x 4) per week. In the NUT group, they took the nutritional supplement within 30 minutes whenever the day's walking time exceeded 15 minutes. If they did not reach the target, they did not take the nutritional supplement or anything else other than water for 30 minutes after exercising. The CNT group did not ingest anything other than water for 30 minutes after exercise regardless of the day's walking time. Skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength were measured by CT scan before and after the training period.

Results

Although the training intensity was the same in the two groups, the cross-sectional area and isometric knee flexion strength of the thigh flexors (hamstrings) in the NUT group was significantly greater than in the CNT group.

Conclusions

For middle-aged and elderly women, the intake of nutritional supplements immediately after completing IWT was recognized as promoting increased skeletal mass and muscle strength through interval walking training. This suggests that when just walking, as opposed to carrying out resistance training, the intake of nutrients at the right time can promote an increase in the skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength that typically decrease with age, and can help in maintaining or increasing the physical strength of middle-aged and elderly people.

The effects of nutritional supplement intake after exercise on skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength
Reference: Modified from Scand J Med Sci Sports 2013; 23: 286-292