Exercise is key to strength and function in older women 5 days ago Higher protein diets prove less important for weight loss, maintaining physical function On their own, exercise and eating higher protein diets are known to help people lose weight and increase strength. But combining both strategies doesn’t necessarily magnify their effects. That’s according to a new University of Georgia study that examined the impact of a high-protein weight loss diet and exercise on women between the ages of 65 and 80. The study revealed that while exercise during weight loss is critical to preserving muscle strength and function, a higher protein diet when combined with exercise does not appear to result in any added benefits to body composition and muscle strength in overweight older women.