Media Release
21 March 2011
UniSA investigates supplement that might make exercise fun
Researchers
at UniSA’s
Nutritional Physiology Research Centre are about to test a novel
nutritional supplement that could help people to achieve increased
levels of physical activity and make exercise more enjoyable.
Director of the Centre,
Associate Professor Jon Buckley says the supplement has strong
potential to help older people stay fit and healthy for longer.
“Aging naturally predisposes us to physical disability but engaging in
regular physical activity can protect against the development of
disability by reducing the loss of bone and muscle,” Prof Buckley says.
“We are looking at the combination of lutein and milk to see if it can
help people who want to exercise regularly to both increase and maintain
their physical activity levels.
“Early evidence from tests with animals has shown that the consumption
of lutein and milk
increased their voluntary exercise behaviour, with the data suggesting a
potential mental effect made exercise more enjoyable.
“Studies in humans have shown that lutein can elicit mental effects, so
it is possible that lutein might alter a person’s perception of exercise
to one that is more enjoyable, thus helping them to achieve a higher
level of regular physical activity”.
Prof Buckley says that if the supplement does help people increase their
physical activity levels, it may be particularly beneficial for
enhancing health and reducing disability, especially in the aging
population.
In a bid to assess the benefits of lutein for increasing physical
activity, the research team at UniSA’s Nutritional Physiology Research
Centre is recruiting volunteers for a study.
Project coordinator, Dr Rebecca Thomson says the study group will be men
and women aged 60 to 80 years.
“We are looking for men and women of healthy weight, aged 60-80 years
who are not currently undertaking a lot of exercise but would like to
participate in a study where they will be encouraged to undertake more
physical activity,” Dr Thomson says.
“All participants will be given a health screening to ensure they have
no conditions that might limit their ability to safely engage in regular
exercise.”
Eligible volunteers will take part in a five-week study, incorporating
four weeks of consuming milk and capsules which contain lutein or a
placebo every day. Participants will be encouraged to increase their
levels of physical activity during the final 3 weeks of the 5-week study
period.
“This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to our knowledge about
this novel nutritional supplement while at the same time benefitting
from the health and exercise advice that will be available during the
course of the study,” Dr Thomson says.
To find out more about making a contribution to this important study,
potential volunteers can telephone the Nutritional Physiology Research
Centre on (08) 8302 2809 or
email and leave their details.
Media contact
- Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au