Sarcopenia
Conditions
Keywords
exercise, training
Brief summary
This study examined the effects of combined-modality exercise training (resistance, endurance, flexibility and balance) on muscle mass, muscle function and physical activity in community-dwelling elderly living in Jamaica who had been characterised as having sarcopenia.
Detailed description
Community-dwelling seniors aged 60 years and older were screened for muscle mass and function (grip strength and walk speed) and persons with sarcopenia were identified using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Persons (EWGSOP) algorithm for case finding (N=1344). Of the 77 seniors with sarcopenia, 38 consented to participate and were randomly allocated to receive 6 months combined-modality high intensity treadmill based exercise and a 'usual care' home exercise programme. A comparison of the effects of treatment assignment on muscle mass, function, fitness, physical activity level and disability was done. Participants in the supervised combined-modality high intensity group were required to attend sessions 3 times per week; participants in the home exercise programme were required to attend 1 supervised session at the start of their 6-month intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 6-month intervention. Data were analysed using standard statistical parametric and non-parametric methods including repeated measures analysis of variance to determine changes in outcomes and regression to establish determinants of outcomes.
Interventions
OTHERHigh intensity exercise
Supervised high-intensity combined-modality exercise was administered to participants in the exercise arm for 3 times per week for 6 months. A post-exercise recovery protein drink (31g whey-based) was given within 15 minutes after each supervised exercise session.
OTHERUsual care home exercise
Walking 30 minutes, chair rises and flexibility exercises for trunk and upper extremities 5 days per week
Sponsors
The University of The West Indies
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* over 60 years old, * independently ambulant, with or without an assistive device * mentally competent to give informed consent and follow exercise instructions
Exclusion criteria
* a history of stroke with residual disability * a diagnosis of cancer * neuromuscular disorders * auto-immune disorders * dementia * severe arthritis rendering participation in an exercise programme difficult * unstable cardiovascular disease which renders exercise unsafe
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional endurance | 6 months | Distance walked in 6 minutes |
| Disability | 6 months | Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale: minimum score = 0 (low function, dependent); maximum score = 8 (high function, independent). Lower scores indicate a worse outcome. |
| Lower extremity (LE) functional strength | 6 months | 1-repetition maximum (RM) strength |
| Accelerometry | 6 months | weekly energy expenditure |
| self-selected walk speed | 6 months | speed in the timed-10-metre walk |
| Appendicular lean mass index | 6 months | dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measured appendicular lean mass summed and divided by height squared, expressed in kg/m2 |
| Balance | 6 months | Berg balance test score: minimum score = 0, maximum score = 56. Lower values indicate worse outcome |
| Fat-free mass | 6 months | dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) determined: fat mass subtracted from weight, expressed in kg |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 6 months | Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression \[CES-D\] score: minimum score = 0, maximum score = 60, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms |
| Timed-up-and-go | 6 months | Functional test indicating fall risk |
Countries
Jamaica
Outcome results
None listed