Alaska pollock protein intake combined with low-intensity resistance training: Effects on neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations in older adults

Takeda, Ryosuke and Hirono, Tetsuya and Nishikawa, Taichi and Ueda, Saeko and Igawa, Kaito and Uchida, Kenji and Mita, Yukiko and Watanabe, Kohei (2026) Alaska pollock protein intake combined with low-intensity resistance training: Effects on neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations in older adults. PHYSIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, 113 (3). pp. 473-488. ISSN 2498-602X

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Abstract

Background: Alaska pollock protein (APP) may influence neuromuscular and cardiovascular functions; however, its effects when combined with low-intensity resistance training (RT) in older adults remain unclear. Here, we examined whether daily APP intake modifies neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations to low-intensity RT in older adults compared with whey protein intake. Methods: Twenty-two community-dwelling older adults were randomized in a double-blind manner to ingest APP (4.5 g day1 )or whey protein (4.5 g day1 ) for 8 weeks while performing home-based isometric knee extension lowintensity RT (30% maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]), twice weekly. Knee extensor MVC, the motor unit firing rate (MUFR) assessed by high-density surface electromyography, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were evaluated at specified times: pre (PRE), mid-intervention (MID), and post (POST), of the 8-week intervention. Results: MVC increased over time (P 5 0.022) without group 3 time interactions. MUFR exhibited a time effect in MUs with recruitment thresholds of 20–40% MVC (P 5 0.017), decreasing at MID and partially returning at POST. In exploratory within-group analyses, this time effect reached significance in the APP group but not in the Whey group. In the APP group, ΔMUFR (20–40%) correlated with ΔMVC (P 5 0.019). SBP showed a time effect, with an exploratory MID-to-POST reduction in the APP group (P 5 0.002). Conclusions: These findings suggest combining low-intensity RT with APP intake in older adults may contribute to temporal modulation of MU firing behavior and potential changes in SBP, warranting confirmation in larger-scale trials designed to elucidate underlying physiological mechanisms.

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