Enhancing Muscle Strength and Reducing Inflammation: The Combined Effects of Hydrolyzed House Cricket Protein Supplementation and Concurrent Training in Older Women

Abstract

This study examined the effects of hydrolyzed house cricket protein supplementation combined with concurrent training (CT) on muscle mass, strength, inflammation, and metabolic health in older women. In a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, community-dwelling older women (n = 39) were assigned to four groups: placebo (PLA), protein supplementation alone (PRO), CT with placebo (CT), or CT with protein supplementation (PRO+CT). Participants in the PRO and PRO+CT groups consumed 30 g of hydrolyzed cricket protein post-exercise or at a matched time. The PRO+CT, PRO, and CT groups showed significant increases in fat-free mass (p < 0.01 for PRO+CT and PRO; p < 0.05 for CT), with additional leg lean mass gains in the PRO+CT and PRO groups (both p < 0.05). Upper- and lower-body strength improved in the PRO + CT (both p < 0.05) and CT groups, while the PRO group showed gains only in lower-body strength (p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels decreased in the PRO + CT and CT groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), with insulin-like growth factor-1 significantly increased only in PRO+CT (p < 0.05). All groups improved 6 min walk test performance (p < 0.01 for PRO + CT and CT; p < 0.05 for PRO). Overall quality of life improved significantly in PRO+CT (p < 0.01) across physical, psychological, and social domains, with psychological gains also observed in CT. These findings suggest that combining hydrolyzed cricket protein supplementation with CT elicits synergistic benefits on muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity in older women, presenting a sustainable and effective strategy to counteract sarcopenia and support healthy aging.