Beef vs. veggies: which diet fights muscle fatigue in seniors?
NCT ID NCT05860088
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether eating beef daily for 8 weeks reduces muscle fatigue in adults aged 60-85 compared to a vegetarian diet. Twenty-four participants ate both diets in a crossover design, with tests like sit-to-stand and walking. The goal was to see if beef's natural beta-alanine and carnosine improve muscle function and fatigue.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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60 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * Ages 60-85 years * Ability to eat study diet meals for a total of 16 weeks * Ability to perform sit-to-stand chair and 6-minute walking tests based on results from PAR-Q questionnaire * Ability to provide fasted blood samples * Access to transportation * Willing to abstain from alcohol consumption and/or use illicit drug use for each 8-week intervention period * Ability to consent to participating in this study * English-speaking * Body mass index between 18.5 (normal) and 39.9 (obese) kg/m2 * Minimum total body weight of 110 pounds * Non-anemia hemoglobin values: Females - \>12.0 grams/dL; Men - \>13.0 grams/dL * Able to ambulate without assistance * Physician's clearance for study participation (required prior to baseline testing) Exclusion Criteria * Inability or refusal to sign the informed consent * Significant orthopedic limitations or other contraindications to exercise * Inability or refusal to perform muscle fatigue tests * Has dietary restrictions that prevent to consumption of beef, soy and/or wheat * Has liver or kidney complications * Live or work \>25 miles from Bloomington study site or does not have transportation to the study site * Anticipate elective surgery during the study period * Diagnosis of progressive neurological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis * Fracture or serious injury in the last 6 months * Stroke, revascularization, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism in the past 12 months * Severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled systemic hypertension, chronic pulmonary disease * Plan to move residence or travel out of the local area during the study period * Current use of anti-coagulants (e.g. Coumadin or Warfarin) * Current use of prescription medications that affect heart rate or blood vessel dilation * Psychological or social characteristics that would interfere with their ability to fully participate in the study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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