Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a structural membrane that covers the globules of triglycerides dispersed in an emulsion of milk. In previous human studies, MFGM ingestion combined with light aerobic exercise training improved agility in elderly individuals. The purpose of this st...

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Main Authors: Kyosuke Nakayama, Kyoko Ito, Yoshihiko Minegishi, Noriyasu Ota, Shukuko Ebihara, Chiaki Sanbongi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2535372
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author Kyosuke Nakayama
Kyoko Ito
Yoshihiko Minegishi
Noriyasu Ota
Shukuko Ebihara
Chiaki Sanbongi
author_facet Kyosuke Nakayama
Kyoko Ito
Yoshihiko Minegishi
Noriyasu Ota
Shukuko Ebihara
Chiaki Sanbongi
author_sort Kyosuke Nakayama
collection DOAJ
description Background The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a structural membrane that covers the globules of triglycerides dispersed in an emulsion of milk. In previous human studies, MFGM ingestion combined with light aerobic exercise training improved agility in elderly individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 4 weeks of daily ingestion of MFGM combined with power training improves instantaneous physical strength – muscle strength, agility, and muscle power compared with placebo (whey protein isolate) in healthy young adults.Method The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-eight healthy young adults aged 20–49 completed the study intervention, and they received either an MFGM powder containing 1.7 g of fat and 160 mg of sphingomyelin or an isocaloric placebo powder daily throughout 4 weeks (3 times/week) of power training. Physical strength tests and body composition measurements were conducted before and after the four-week intervention. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with baseline values as a covariate was carried out to test differences in post intervention values between groups.Results Ingestion of MFGM significantly improved peak torque (p = 0.003) and average power (p = 0.019) of isokinetic knee extensors, leg press 1 repetition maximum (RM) (p = 0.004) and sit-ups reps (p = 0.030), but not indicators of agility, compared with placebo after the 4-week intervention. There were no significant changes in lean body mass during the intervention period in either group and no significant differences between groups.Conclusions We conclude that daily MFGM supplementation combined with power training are effective to improve instantaneous physical strength, such as muscle strength and power, compared with placebo in healthy young adults.
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spelling doaj-art-cccfeda1a96f451ebcbc361f674af3c92025-08-20T03:51:08ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2535372Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trialKyosuke Nakayama0Kyoko Ito1Yoshihiko Minegishi2Noriyasu Ota3Shukuko Ebihara4Chiaki Sanbongi5R & D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachiouji, Tokyo, JapanR & D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachiouji, Tokyo, JapanKao Corporation, Biological Science Research, Haga-gun, Tochigi, JapanKao Corporation, Biological Science Research, Haga-gun, Tochigi, JapanChiyoda Paramedical Care Clinic, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JapanR & D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachiouji, Tokyo, JapanBackground The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a structural membrane that covers the globules of triglycerides dispersed in an emulsion of milk. In previous human studies, MFGM ingestion combined with light aerobic exercise training improved agility in elderly individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 4 weeks of daily ingestion of MFGM combined with power training improves instantaneous physical strength – muscle strength, agility, and muscle power compared with placebo (whey protein isolate) in healthy young adults.Method The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-eight healthy young adults aged 20–49 completed the study intervention, and they received either an MFGM powder containing 1.7 g of fat and 160 mg of sphingomyelin or an isocaloric placebo powder daily throughout 4 weeks (3 times/week) of power training. Physical strength tests and body composition measurements were conducted before and after the four-week intervention. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with baseline values as a covariate was carried out to test differences in post intervention values between groups.Results Ingestion of MFGM significantly improved peak torque (p = 0.003) and average power (p = 0.019) of isokinetic knee extensors, leg press 1 repetition maximum (RM) (p = 0.004) and sit-ups reps (p = 0.030), but not indicators of agility, compared with placebo after the 4-week intervention. There were no significant changes in lean body mass during the intervention period in either group and no significant differences between groups.Conclusions We conclude that daily MFGM supplementation combined with power training are effective to improve instantaneous physical strength, such as muscle strength and power, compared with placebo in healthy young adults.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2535372Wordmuscle strengthagilitymuscle powersphingomyelin
spellingShingle Kyosuke Nakayama
Kyoko Ito
Yoshihiko Minegishi
Noriyasu Ota
Shukuko Ebihara
Chiaki Sanbongi
Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Word
muscle strength
agility
muscle power
sphingomyelin
title Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_fullStr Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_short Effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
title_sort effects of milk fat globule membrane ingestion with exercise on physical strength in healthy young adults a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial
topic Word
muscle strength
agility
muscle power
sphingomyelin
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2535372
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