The Effectiveness of Beltfish (Trichiurus lepturus) Protein Intake and Physical Activity on Muscle Mass Growth

Malnutrition cases have increased every year. One of the causes is insufficient food intake, marked by a decrease in muscle mass. Preventing malnutrition can be done by increasing muscle mass through providing daily protein intake according to needs and engaging in physical activity. The fish species Trichiurus lepturus is a high-protein source from the sea. The protein content in this fish can help promote muscle mass growth. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of protein intake from Trichiurus lepturus combined with physical activity on increasing muscle mass. The research method is experimental, using test animals (Rattus norvegicus) given protein intake and physical activity for 28 days. The animals were divided into six groups: three control groups and three treatment groups receiving different protein levels. Muscle growth was assessed by observing the enlargement of the cruris muscle using HE (hematoxylin and eosin) staining under a 4x microscope magnification. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA with an Bonferroni test. The results showed a significant difference between all groups (p=0.000). The treatment groups receiving protein intake and physical activity had larger muscle sizes compared to the control groups (P≤0.05). The conclusion is that protein intake accompanied by physical activity causes changes in muscle mass. Additionally, the amount of protein intake is directly proportional to the increase in muscle size.