Foods 2020 , 9 , 1147
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to components of the test products. Subject anthropometric data are shown in Supplemental Table S1. Volunteers were randomly assigned to either the treatment (rice NPN) or placebo (maltodextrin) group, with 75% of subjects ( n = 30) receiving the treatment and 25% ( n = 10) the placebo. Subjects were supplied with a four-week supply of rice NPN or placebo and fully instructed on how to reconstitute the product. Subjects were instructed to take one dose each morning and one dose each evening for the study duration. Each 10 g dose was supplied in a pre-weighed sachet that was mixed with 200 mL of water until the product was fully resuspended and then consumed immediately. This study is considered a pilot study, since to our knowledge, it is the first study to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of a food-derived peptide ingredient on circulating cytokines over 12 weeks in combination with the monitoring of upper and lower body strength through tests such as the chair stand test. In line with previous pilot studies [40], in the absence of e ff ect size information, this study will serve to aid in the design of future such studies. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and on week 4, 8, and 12 of the study. Blood samples were centrifuged, and the resulting serum stored at − 80 ◦ C until analysis. 2.5.1.1. Hand Grip Test Upper body muscle strength was measured using a hand grip test at baseline, as well as weeks 4, 8, and 12. The hand grip test was carried out using a dynamometer and grip strength was recorded. In brief, handgrip strength test was performed with the subject seated in a firm and stable straight-back chair with the shoulder adducted and in a neutral position, the elbow flexed at 90 ◦ , and the lower arm and wrist in a neutral position. The arm was not supported by a table, arm rest, or pillows. The appropriate use of the dynamometer was demonstrated before the subject performed a test hand grip. The dominant hand was tested, and one test hand grip was measured followed by 3 independent hand grips at maximal e ff ort held for at least 5 s. The highest measure of the 3 independent hand grips displayed by the dynamometer was recorded in kilograms. 2.5.1.2. Repeated Chair Stand Test Lower body muscle strength was measured using a chair stand test. The repeated chair stand test was carried out by counting the number of complete chair stands performed in a 30 s period. These tests were carried out at baseline, and weeks 4, 8, and 12. This test is described in detail in Section 2.5.1.3 as part of the SPPB carried out at baseline and week 12. 2.5.1.3. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) A short physical performance battery (SPPB) test score was generated at baseline and week 12. The SPPB is a group of measures that combines the results of the gait speed, chair stand and balance tests [41]. It has been used as a predictive tool for possible disability and can aid in the monitoring of function in older people. The scores range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance). The SPPB has been shown to have predictive validity showing a gradient of risk for mortality, nursing home admission, and disability. For the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) testing, a combination of balance tests, gait speeds, and strengths were assessed as follows. For the balance tests, the subject must be able to stand unassisted without the use of a cane or walker, although assistance could be provided to allow the subject to stand. If at any point, the subject felt it was unsafe to carry out the test, the test was skipped and recorded as such. All movements were first demonstrated. Firstly, subjects were asked to stand with their feet together for 10 s. If the subject successfully carried out the task a score of 1 was given, otherwise a score of 0 was given and the assessor moved on to the gait speed test. In the case of a successful test, a semi-tandem stand test was performed. As before, this was demonstrated first. Subjects were asked to stand with the side of the heel of one foot touching the big toe of the other foot for 10 s. If the subject successfully carried out the task a score of 1 was given, otherwise a score of 0 was given and the assessor moved on to the gait speed test. In the case of a successful test, a tandem stand test was performed. The subject was asked to stand with the heel of one foot in front of and touching the toes of the other foot for 10 s. If the subject successfully carried out the
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