The effect of snack products on physical performance of older women

In the study participants (n = 102) are randomized into two groups; to an intervention group and to a control group. The participants are older women of 70 years or older, who have mobility limitations. After the randomization taking place after baseline measurements, on bases of the intervention participants' protein intake analyzed from their food records, they will receive 1-2 snack products daily for three months and advise by trained nutritionist on how to use them as part of daily diet. The milk-based snack products are protein rich and contain at least 1 g of milk fat globule membrane that has in previous trials improved physical performance in humans and animals, and 15-30 g of protein (depending on the baseline protein intake of the participant). The intervention participants are advised to time the consumption of the snack products in close proximity with daily physical activity. Both groups (intervention, control) are taught to perform short daily exercise routine containing five exercises planned to improve gate speed and advised to perform the routine independently daily. They will also receive written instruction of the routine. The materials will be readily available. We will use materials provided by the Age institute in Finland. The daily exercise routine will last about 15 minutes to perform. The examples of the daily routine can be found following this link: https://www.voimaavanhuuteen.fi/content/uploads/2016/04/k%C3%A4vely_kevyemm%C3%A4ksi.pdf. We will monitor the adherence to the exercise routine and research product with self-report log, and with product return. We will keep in contact with the participants regularly via phone during the intervention. Due to the pandemic, the nutritionist will keep in contact with the intervention participants only by phone or computer to give advise remotely to the participants on the consumption of the products. They will also receive written advise on the timing on the consumption of the products. The participants are advised to replace a normal snack or dessert in their diet with the snack product provided by the study in order to keep the intervention weight neutral. However, in case of a participant has low BMI (egual or less than 23 kg/m2), is losing weight involuntarily or has a poor appetite, they will be encouraged to consume the snack products in top of their ordinary daily diet. The interventionist (nutritionist) will go through training prior to the start of the trial. The snack products will be delivered to the homes of the participants by a delivery service with regular intervals.