Effects of Fermented Red Clover on Muscle Strength and Muscle Mass

The project is designed as a randomized controlled, double-blinded, cross-over trial, including 10 healthy postmenopausal women consuming fermented red clover extract or placebo twice daily over a two-week period. After the first trial (two weeks), participants will undergo a two-week washout period, after which they will receive the opposite trial drink for two weeks. The trial period runs over six weeks. Before each of the two trial rounds, participants will meet in the laboratory and perform muscle strength tests (trial days 1 and 3). After each trial round (trial days 2 and 4), participants will meet fasting in the laboratory, and a blood test and a muscle biopsy will be taken initially. Next, the subject consumes the test drink (placebo or red clover extract) before the subject performs a strength training session with one leg. Right after the training session, the subject consumes a protein drink. Three hours after the protein drink, another muscle biopsy is taken. During the period from the protein drink to the final biopsy, the subject performs two muscle strength tests (respectively grip strength and maximum upper arm muscle strength (biceps)). The primary target parameter is muscle protein signaling measured in the muscle tissue samples using the western blotting method.