Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation and Exercise on Physical Performance in Older Adults

Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation and Exercise on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Feasibility Trial

After approximately age 40 years, individuals experience a natural loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function that is linked to higher risks of falls, disability, loss of independence, and mortality. These losses can also be a precursor to the development of frailty, which includes factors beyond impaired physical function such as cognitive impairment, psychological disorder, increased likelihood of hospitalization, need of long term-care, and mortality. Structured exercise-encompassing both resistance and aerobic training-is widely recognized as an effective lifestyle intervention for improving muscle health, cardiovascular capacity, and overall physical function in older adults. However, aging is accompanied by chronically elevated systemic inflammation, and although exercise remains highly beneficial, older adults exhibit a heightened inflammatory response to training and a diminished capacity for post-exercise recovery.

Polyphenols, a group of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, have been shown to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, positively impacting recovery and health. Polyphenol supplementation, particularly when paired with structured exercise, may elicit synergistic improvements in physical performance through combined effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle recovery, making polyphenols a compelling adjunct strategy for mitigating sarcopenia. In pursuit of refining strategies that support healthy aging and preserve functional capacity in older adults, this study aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing a 12-week resistance and aerobic exercise program combined with dietary supplementation in older adults.

Participants will either consume a polyphenol blend or a placebo control of maltodextrin daily whilst undergoing 12 weeks of supervised resistance and aerobic exercise. Additionally, this study will test the hypothesis that polyphenol supplementation will augment the exercise-induced improvements in physical function and muscle health. Further, exploratory analyses of skeletal muscle biopsy and venous plasma samples will aid in elucidating the potential geroprotective effects of polyphenols at both cellular and molecular levels.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Frailty; Sarcopenia; Aging
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Polyphenol Rich-Extract; Behavioral: Resistance Band-Based & Aerobic Stationary Cycling Exercise; Dietary supplement: Maltodextrin (Placebo)

Detailed Description

Life expectancy in Canada continues to rise, and by 2068 more than one-quarter of the population will be over the age of 65 years. Although Canadians are living longer, added years are not necessarily lived in good health. Aging is associated with increased sedentary behaviour, reduced physical performance, higher prevalence of chronic disease, and greater healthcare use. Sedentary behaviour, physical inactivity, and poor dietary habits accelerate age-related functional decline and contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation, a key driver of frailty, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Exercise is strongly recommended to mitigate these risks, with clear dose-response benefits for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality; however, adherence can be limited, and age-related inflammation may blunt beneficial exercise adaptations. This underscores the need for accessible lifestyle strategies that support muscle function, physical performance, and healthy aging.

Polyphenols-naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in fruits and vegetables-have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects relevant to exercise recovery and muscle adaptation. The investigational supplement used in this study (Phyto-P) contains a six-polyphenol blend including chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid, anthocyanins, and quercetin derivatives. Preclinical and human trials of individual polyphenols show reductions in inflammatory cytokines, improvements in antioxidant capacity, and attenuation of exercise-induced muscle damage. Despite these promising findings, it remains unknown whether a multi-polyphenol blend such as Phyto-P can enhance exercise-induced improvements in muscle strength, functional capacity, or molecular markers of skeletal muscle adaptation in older adults.

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot feasibility trial is to determine whether it is practical to deliver a 12-week combined resistance band and aerobic exercise intervention with daily polyphenol supplementation in older adults. Feasibility outcomes-including recruitment, retention, exercise adherence, and supplement adherence-will determine whether a larger, fully powered efficacy trial is achievable. Secondary, exploratory outcomes will assess changes in physical function, muscular strength and power, skeletal muscle health and fiber-type distribution, cardiorespiratory fitness, self-reported well-being, and blood biomarkers, offering preliminary mechanistic insight to guide hypothesis generation for future studies.

Participants aged ≥60 years will be recruited from the Kingston community and complete screening, baseline assessments, a 12-week supervised exercise program paired with polyphenol or placebo supplementation, a midpoint assessment at week 6, and post-intervention testing that mirrors baseline procedures. The data generated from this pilot study will inform the design, methodology, and sample size requirements of future large-scale randomized controlled trials aimed at improving skeletal muscle health, physical function, and healthy aging through combined nutritional and exercise-based strategies.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Chris McGlory, PhD; Phone Number: 75410 613-533-6000; Email: chris.mcglory@queensu.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
      • Recruiting
      • Queen's University School of Kinesiology & Health Studies
      • Contact: Chris McGlory, PhD; Phone Number: 75410 613-533-6000; Email: chris.mcglory@queensu.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female or Male
• Age > 60y
• Non-Smoking
• English Speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported highly trained individual (training >3x/week for a specific sport with the goal to compete at a high level)
• BMI < 18.5
• Uses insulin to control blood glucose levels
• Any medical, orthopaedic, or psychiatric condition that would be comprise ability to comply with study requirements
• Regular user of anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic medication
• History of neuromuscular disorder or muscle/bone wasting disease
• Determined not ready for exercise by the CSEP GAQ
• Use of medication known to affect protein metabolism
• Family history of thrombosis, platelet or coagulation disorders, or antiplatelet therapy
• Use of anticoagulant medication
• Personal or family history of clotting disorder or deep vein thrombosis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Polyphenol Supplement + Exercise; 12-Week Daily consumption of 3g of Phyto-P (polyphenol-rich extract: chlorogenic acid (30.15 mg), chicoric acid (13.44 mg), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8.43 mg), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (15.81 mg), quercetin-3-O-malonyl glucoside (33.00 mg), and anthocyanins (30.57 mg)) taken as capsules starting the first day of 12 weeks of exercise. Supervised group resistance and aerobic exercise performed 4x/week. Resistance band based exercise performed twice per week (2 x 1hr). Aerobic stationary cycling based exercise performed twice per week (2 x 1hr).	Dietary supplement: Polyphenol Rich-Extract; Polyphenol Rich-Extract (Phyto-P) derived from Lactuca Sativa (red leaf lettuce). 12-Week daily consumption of 3g of Phyto-P (polyphenol-rich extract: chlorogenic acid (30.15 mg), chicoric acid (13.44 mg), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8.43 mg), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (15.81 mg), quercetin-3-O-malonyl glucoside (33.00 mg), and anthocyanins (30.57 mg)) as capsules.; Behavioral: Resistance Band-Based & Aerobic Stationary Cycling Exercise; Resistance Band-Based Exercise: Participants will complete a dynamic warm up followed by eight exercises (squats, hip extensions, rows, chest press, split squats, calf raises, bicep curls, tricep extensions) each session, organized as four supersets of two exercises targeting both upper and lower body. Each exercise will be performed with a controlled three-second eccentric phase, with sets and repetitions gradually progressing from 2 × 8-12 to 3 × 12-14. Resistance will be increased using band color (thickness), and post-set Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) will guide individualized progression. Sessions will be conducted twice weekly for approximately 50 minutes. Aerobic Stationary Cycling: Participants will perform stationary cycling twice weekly for approximately 50 minutes per session at 60% of peak work rate (WRpeak). Exercise intensity will be re-prescribed after mid-point testing to ensure continued progression and alignment with participants' current fitness level
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Control + Exercise; 12-Week Daily consumption of 3g of maltodextrin taken as capsules starting the first day of 12 weeks of exercise. Supervised group resistance and aerobic exercise performed 4x/week. Resistance band based exercise performed twice per week (2 x 1hr). Aerobic stationary cycling based exercise performed twice per week (2 x 1hr).	Behavioral: Resistance Band-Based & Aerobic Stationary Cycling Exercise; Resistance Band-Based Exercise: Participants will complete a dynamic warm up followed by eight exercises (squats, hip extensions, rows, chest press, split squats, calf raises, bicep curls, tricep extensions) each session, organized as four supersets of two exercises targeting both upper and lower body. Each exercise will be performed with a controlled three-second eccentric phase, with sets and repetitions gradually progressing from 2 × 8-12 to 3 × 12-14. Resistance will be increased using band color (thickness), and post-set Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) will guide individualized progression. Sessions will be conducted twice weekly for approximately 50 minutes. Aerobic Stationary Cycling: Participants will perform stationary cycling twice weekly for approximately 50 minutes per session at 60% of peak work rate (WRpeak). Exercise intensity will be re-prescribed after mid-point testing to ensure continued progression and alignment with participants' current fitness level; Dietary supplement: Maltodextrin (Placebo); 12-Week Daily consumption of 3g of maltodextrin consumed as capsules.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Feasibility of Retention	Retention is expressed as the percentage of participants who completed baseline testing, the 12-week intervention, and post-testing visits, relative to those who completed baseline testing but did not finish. Success is defined as at least 75% (≥30 of 40) completing the study while maintaining adherence above 75% for both exercise sessions and supplementation.	18 months, 12 weeks
Feasibility of Recruitment	Number of participants recruited. Success is defined as recruitment of 40 participants across 18 months.	18 months
Leg Extensor Strength	Change in leg-extensor peak torque measured by isometric dynamometry in Newton meters (Nm).	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Leg Exetensor Power	Change in leg-extensor isotonic power measured by dynamometry in Newton meters (Nm).	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Handgrip Strength	Change in maximal handgrip strength measured using a dynamometer, expressed in kilograms (kg), with higher values indicating greater muscular strength.	week -1, week 6, week 12
Aerobic Capacity	Change in peak wattage during a work rate max test measured on a cycle ergometer.	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Physical Function 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test	Change in number of repetitions completed in 30 seconds.	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Physical Function Short Performance Physical Battery	Change in total score across the three tests. The Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) is assessment of lower-extremity function in older adults, comprising balance, gait speed, and chair stand tests. Scores range from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating better physical performance and mobility.	Time Frame: -1 week, 12 weeks
Physical Function Stair Climb Test	Change in the average time taken to complete a 10-step stair climb expressed in seconds (s).	week -1, week 12
Physical Function Functional Forward Reach Test	Change in average forward reach distance for each arm expressed in centimeteres (cm).	week -1, week 12
Mitochondrial respiration	Change in mitochondrial respiration measured by high resolution respirometry (Oroboros Oxygraph-2k).	-1 week, 12 weeks
Frailty	Change in Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Frailty Index Score. The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Frailty Index is a continuous measure from 0 to 1 calculated by dividing the number of health deficits present by the total number assessed, with higher values reflecting greater frailty. It is derived from a self-reported questionnaire covering 52 items, with each item representing a potential deficit.	-1 week, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks
Well-Being	Change in World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index Score (WHO-5). The World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 5 items assessing subjective well-being. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with total scores summed to a range of 0 to 25, where higher scores indicate better well-being.	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Anthropometrics Body Height	Change in body height expressed in centimeters (cm).	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Anthropometrics Body Weight	Change in body weight measured in kilograms (kg).	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Body Composition Fat Free Mass	Change in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimated fat free mass measured in kilograms (kg).	-1 week, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Body Composition Body Fat Percentage	Change in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimated body fat percentage.	week -1, week 6, week 12

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Dr. Chris McGlory, PhD
• Collaborators: Canadian Frailty Network

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Aerobic exercise; older adults; sarcopenia; Polyphenol; Resistance training; skeletal muscle
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Frailty; Sarcopenia; maltodextrin
• Other Study ID Numbers: 6044340

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No