Whey protein and physical exercise in the treatment of sarcopenia: systematic review

Introduction: Sarcopenia is defined as a disease characterized by low muscle strength/muscle failure, generally associated with advancing age. Protein supplements, such as whey protein, have been used in combination with physical exercise in the treatment of sarcopenia, due to their ability to promote muscle recovery. Objective: Review the literature in order to analyze the effects of whey protein consumption associated with physical exercise in the treatment of sarcopenia. Materials and methods: The search for articles was carried out from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scielo and Lilacs databases, from 2015 to 2021. Results: 6 publications that met the inclusion criteria were selected. On average, the interventions lasted 12 weeks. Whey protein consumption was at least 20 g per day or on physical training days. There was great variation in relation to the type of physical exercise, duration and frequency. Conclusion: In general, it was observed that individuals with sarcopenia achieved an increase in muscle mass and improved motor function, however, most studies did not show additional effects of supplementation with whey protein, indicating greater benefit from physical exercise in this condition.