Open Collections

Abstract

Background: A protein intake above the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) (i.e., 0.8 g∙kgˉ¹∙dayˉ¹) might benefit muscle strength (MS) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). However, whether a higher protein intake would benefit MS and SMM (depending on sex, age group, and physical activity level) at younger ages is still to be determined. Objective: To examine whether a protein intake above the RDA is associated with a higher MS and SMM depending on sex, age group, and physical activity level in young and middle-aged adults. Methods: A secondary data analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 was conducted. We analyzed data from participants aged 20 to 59, with dietary intake (24 h dietary recall), combined handgrip strength (HGS), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST), accelerometer-assessed physical activity, among other variables (n = 3406). The protein intake was categorized as 1.0 g∙kgˉ¹∙dayˉ¹) was associated with a higher MS, while higher protein amounts (≥1.6 g∙kgˉ¹∙dayˉ¹) would be necessary to observe a higher SMM.