When older adults break their hip, recovery is tough and takes a long time. Researchers are testing whether eating more protein and doing exercise together helps people get stronger and feel better faster. In this study, 102 people over 65 who just had hip fracture surgery will either get help from a dietitian to eat more protein plus do strength exercises twice a week, or receive regular care. Scientists will check how well people can walk and move, how strong they are, and how much their recovery costs over three months. If this combination works, it could help millions of older adults recover better and get back to their normal lives.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does eating more protein combined with doing strength exercises help older adults recover better and faster after hip fracture surgery?
  • Who participated: 102 people age 65 and older who are recovering from hip fracture surgery in rehabilitation centers. The study splits them into two groups randomly to compare results.
  • Key finding: This study is still being done, so we don’t have results yet. But researchers expect that people who eat more protein and do exercises will recover better, keep more muscle and bone strength, and have a better quality of life than those getting regular care.
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one breaks a hip, this research suggests that working with a dietitian to eat enough protein and doing guided strength exercises might help you recover faster and stronger. However, this is a new study, so talk with your doctor before making changes to your recovery plan.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the best ways to test if a treatment works. Researchers will randomly assign 102 older adults recovering from hip fracture surgery into two groups. One group gets the special intervention: they’ll meet with a nutrition expert weekly to make sure they eat enough protein (about 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily) and do strength-building exercises twice a week for three months. The other group gets the normal care that hospitals usually provide.

The study will measure how people are doing at three different times: right after surgery, when they leave the rehabilitation center, and three months later. Scientists will check things like how well people can walk and move, how strong their hands are, how much muscle and bone they have, and how much the whole treatment costs.

Because people need to know they’re getting the special treatment to follow the diet and exercise plan, the researchers can’t hide who’s in which group. However, the scientists analyzing the results won’t know which group is which, which helps keep the results fair and honest.

Hip fractures are very serious injuries for older adults. After surgery, people often lose muscle and bone strength quickly, which makes it hard to walk and do daily activities. Testing a combined approach of better nutrition and exercise is important because it might help prevent this muscle and bone loss. If this works, it could help millions of older adults get back to normal life faster and with better quality of life.

This is a well-designed study published in a respected scientific journal. The researchers are using a randomized controlled trial design, which is the gold standard for testing treatments. They’re measuring multiple important outcomes, not just one thing. They’re also looking at costs, which matters for real-world use. The main limitation is that people and staff will know who’s getting the special treatment, which could affect results. However, the researchers are using blinded analysis to reduce bias in how they interpret the data.

What the Results Show

This study is still being conducted, so final results are not yet available. The researchers are currently enrolling participants and collecting data. The primary outcome they’re measuring is physical functioning—basically, how well people can walk, stand, and move around using a test called the Short Physical Performance Battery.

Based on what we know from other research, the researchers expect that the group receiving extra protein and exercise will show better improvements in physical functioning compared to the group receiving usual care. They also expect this group will maintain more muscle and bone strength after surgery.

The study will provide important information about whether this combined approach actually works better than standard recovery care, and whether the benefits are worth the cost of the extra nutrition support and exercise program.

Beyond just physical functioning, the researchers will also measure: how strong people’s hands are (handgrip strength), how much muscle mass they have, bone density (how strong their bones are), quality of life (how they feel overall), ability to do daily activities like getting dressed or bathing, nutritional status (whether they’re eating well), and special blood markers that show how bones are healing. All of these measurements help paint a complete picture of recovery.

Previous research shows that protein helps rebuild muscle after surgery, and exercise helps people regain strength and function. However, most studies have tested protein or exercise alone, not both together. This study is important because it tests whether combining these two approaches works better than either one alone. The results will help doctors and therapists understand the best way to help older adults recover from hip fractures.

The main limitation is that participants and staff will know who’s getting the special treatment, which might influence results. Some people might try harder if they know they’re in the treatment group. The study only includes 102 people, which is a moderate size—larger studies might show different results. The study only follows people for three months after surgery, so we won’t know about longer-term benefits. Results might be different for people with other health conditions or those who are very frail.

The Bottom Line

This study is still ongoing, so we can’t make final recommendations yet. However, current evidence suggests that eating adequate protein and doing strength exercises during hip fracture recovery may help. If you or a loved one has a hip fracture, discuss with your doctor or physical therapist whether increasing protein intake and doing guided exercises is appropriate. Don’t start any new exercise program without medical approval. (Moderate confidence level—based on this being a well-designed study that’s still collecting data)

This research is most relevant for: older adults (65+) recovering from hip fracture surgery, their family members and caregivers, doctors and physical therapists who treat hip fracture patients, and hospitals and rehabilitation centers looking to improve recovery outcomes. People with severe kidney disease should talk to their doctor before increasing protein intake.

Based on the study design, researchers expect to see meaningful improvements in physical functioning and strength within the three-month study period. However, full recovery from a hip fracture typically takes 6-12 months, so benefits might continue beyond what this study measures.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily protein intake (grams consumed) and exercise sessions completed (type and duration). Set a goal of 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily and log meals that contain protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, or nuts.
  • Use the app to set reminders for protein-rich meals and scheduled exercise sessions. Create a simple daily checklist: Did I eat enough protein today? Did I complete my exercise session? This helps build consistency during recovery.
  • Weekly tracking of: total protein grams consumed, number of exercise sessions completed, perceived energy levels (1-10 scale), and ability to perform daily activities (walking distance, stairs climbed, or time standing). Monthly photos or measurements can show progress in strength and mobility.

This article describes a research study that is still in progress. The findings presented are based on the study protocol and expected outcomes, not final results. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor, physical therapist, or registered dietitian before making changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially during recovery from surgery or injury. Individual results may vary based on age, overall health, and other medical conditions.