CURRENT evidence about what leads to muscle loss in elderly people has been questioned by scientists at the University of Southampton.

While some studies show that diet and exercise can prevent muscle loss in old age, researchers have found that the evidence is inconsistent.

For people between 40 and 80, an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of muscle mass is lost, dramatically reducing the quality of lifestyle for older people.

Now scientists have questioned some of the research after the screen 5,000 academic articles which studied the combined effects in training with health supplements for older people.

In the study, published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, scientists from the university's Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit carried out a review of combined diet and exercise training trials in men and women over 65.

The review shows that findings differ across studies and suggests more research is needed in order to improve the lives of millions of elderly people.

Professor Sian Robinson, who led the review, said these studies should be a priority.

She said: "Poor diets and being physically inactive are common in older age. Understanding the benefits of maintaining sufficient levels of physical activity and diet quality to prevent muscle loss is therefore a priority.

"Further research to determine the benefits of supplementation and exercise training for older people is therefore needed."

Professor Avan Aihie Sayer, professor of geriatric medicine oversaw the work, said: "Gaining insights into the effects of lifestyle on losses of muscle mass and strength will be essential for the development of future public health strategies to promote better health in later life."