A new study reports that an amino acid is one of the nutritional supplements that can help build muscle in elderly men and women and may improve fitness levels by almost thirty percent.

The findings, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, show that after taking the amino acid beta-alanine for 90 days, elderly volunteers had a 28.6 percent increase in their physical working capacity.

The research focused on 26 men and women in South Florida with an average age of 72.8. Of the 26, 12 were given 800 milligrams of beta-alanine three times a day for 90 days.

Researchers point out that these results are similar to a 1987 study which found that 10 weeks of endurance training led to a 30 percent increase in physical working capacity of elderly men and women, leading researchers to speculate that seniors could get the same results without intense exercise.

The scientists say these findings are significant as an increase in physical fitness level may prevent the risk of falls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15,800 people age 65 and older died from injuries connected to unintentional falls in 2005 and 1.8 million people in that same age bracket were treated in emergency rooms, with 433,000 being hospitalized.