53 During and following hospitalization, a rehabilitation specialist www.selleckchem.com/products/BIBW2992.html usually makes individualized recommendations for duration and intensity of exercise. There is no global standard or recommendation, but physical activity during hospitalization and in posthospitalization rehabilitation sessions has reported benefits.1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 69, 70, 149, 150, 151 and 152 Total daily dietary protein intake seems to influence

the anabolic effects of exercise. In a study of body composition changes in 50- to 80-year-old adults who followed resistance training regimens for 3 months, net positive effects of protein occurred when protein intake was greater than 1.0 g protein/kg BW/d.151 Evidence supports the combination of exercise and protein/amino acid supplementation for prevention and treatment of muscle loss in certain debilitating clinical conditions, including bed rest for acute critical illness or injury153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 and 160 and also for chronic diseases, such as COPD161, 162, 163, 164 and 165 and congestive

heart failure (CHF).99, 163 and 166 The loss of muscle mass and strength associated with bed rest per se can be partly offset by protein or amino acid supplementation.158 and 167 Selleck Alectinib Exercise is recognized to provide a potent anabolic stimulus to muscle, even among patients who are mostly limited to bed rest.153, 157 and 168 For patients with COPD, results of 2 studies clearly showed benefits from exercise training along with protein supplementation162 and 164; whey protein served as an effective protein source. People with CHF likewise experienced benefits when treated with exercise and amino acid supplementation.99 Thus, a small

number of trials have shown that modest physical activity is possible in people with chronic illnesses or those recovering from critical illness,169, 170 and 171 but more and larger trials are needed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such strategies, especially because protein supplementation alone may not many be sufficient to rescue very old people or those with severe muscle loss.160 Several dietary supplements have been tested in combination with exercise in older adults, namely creatine160, 172, 173, 174 and 175 and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (β-HMB).176, 177, 178, 179 and 180 In general, these agents have positive effects on lean body mass and strength, but the effects tend to be small and are not consistent. Some authors have championed the benefits of creatine for outcomes other than skeletal muscle synthesis, including bone health and cognitive function.181, 182 and 183However, at this time, it is not possible to state definitively whether creatine or β-HMB can enhance exercise responses in older people, as these agents have been shown to do in younger people.184 and 185 Clearly this is an area for more clinical trials.