Sarcopenia
Conditions
Keywords
TRX suspension training, Resistance training, Older adults, Physical fitness, Gait performance, Muscle strength, Inflammatory biomarkers, Randomized controlled trial
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a 12-week TRX suspension training program on physical fitness, gait performance, and selected blood biomarkers in older men with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function, which increases the risk of falls, disability, and reduced quality of life. A total of 36 older men diagnosed with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to either a TRX suspension training group or a control group. The training group participated in supervised TRX exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. The control group maintained their usual daily activities without structured exercise intervention. Physical fitness, walking ability, and blood biomarkers related to inflammation and muscle growth were assessed before and after the intervention. The study aimed to determine whether TRX suspension training is a safe and effective exercise approach for improving muscle strength, balance, walking ability, and biological indicators associated with sarcopenia in older adults.
Detailed description
This study was a single-center, randomized controlled trial designed to examine the effects of TRX suspension training on physical fitness, gait performance, and inflammatory- and growth-related biomarkers in older men with sarcopenia. Eligible participants were men aged 65 years and older who met established diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia based on low handgrip strength, reduced skeletal muscle mass index, and slow gait speed. After screening, 36 participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either an experimental group receiving TRX suspension training or a control group maintaining usual daily activities. The intervention consisted of a 12-week TRX suspension training program conducted three times per week. Each training session lasted approximately 60 minutes and included a warm-up period, a main training phase, and a cool-down period. The exercise program emphasized multi-joint, whole-body movements targeting the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk. Training intensity and difficulty were progressively adjusted using body angle and support-point principles to ensure safety and individualized progression for older participants. Assessments were performed before the intervention and within 48 hours after completion of the 12-week program. Outcome measures included physical fitness tests (upper- and lower-limb muscle strength, balance, and agility), gait performance tests (mobility, walking speed, and walking endurance), and fasting blood biomarkers related to inflammation and muscle growth, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, insulin-like growth factor-1, C-reactive protein, and vitamin D. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether TRX suspension training could improve muscle strength and functional mobility in older men with sarcopenia. Secondary objectives included evaluating changes in gait performance and selected biological markers associated with inflammation and muscle metabolism. This study aimed to provide evidence supporting the use of TRX suspension training as a safe and effective exercise strategy for improving physical function and reducing fall risk in older adults with sarcopenia.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTRX Suspension Training
TRX suspension training was delivered as a structured, supervised exercise program conducted three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 60 minutes and included warm-up, main training, and cool-down phases. The program emphasized progressive, whole-body resistance exercises targeting the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, with training intensity individualized through adjustments in body angle and support points.
OTHERUsual Daily Activities
Participants continued their usual daily activities during the 12-week study period and did not receive any structured exercise or training intervention.
Sponsors
WeiJin Zhang
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a TRX suspension training group or a control group and remained in their assigned group throughout the 12-week intervention period.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male participants aged 65 years or older. * Diagnosis of sarcopenia based on established criteria, including low handgrip strength, reduced skeletal muscle mass index, and slow gait speed. * Ability to walk independently without assistive devices. * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. * Willingness to participate in the 12-week intervention and complete all required assessments.
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of severe cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions that contraindicate moderate-intensity exercise. * Diagnosis of severe depression, dementia, or other neurological or psychiatric disorders that could interfere with participation. * Participation in other structured exercise or training programs during the study period. * History of drug or alcohol abuse. * Any musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic condition that would prevent safe participation in the exercise intervention.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Handgrip Strength | Baseline to 12 weeks | Handgrip strength was measured using a digital handgrip dynamometer. The primary outcome was the change in maximal handgrip strength from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in 30-Second Chair Stand Test Performance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Lower-limb muscle strength was assessed using the 30-second chair stand test. The outcome was defined as the change in the number of completed stands from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in 30-Second Arm Curl Test Performance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Upper-limb muscular endurance was evaluated using the 30-second arm curl test. The outcome was the change in the number of repetitions completed from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period. |
| Change in Single-Leg Stance Time | Baseline to 12 weeks | Static balance was assessed using the single-leg stance test. The outcome was defined as the change in maximal standing time from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in Four Square Step Test Performance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Dynamic balance and agility were evaluated using the four square step test. The outcome was the change in completion time from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period. |
| Change in Timed Up and Go Test Performance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. The outcome was defined as the change in test completion time from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in 10-Meter Walk Test Performance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Walking speed was evaluated using the 10-meter walk test. The outcome was defined as the change in walking time from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention period. |
| Change in Six-Minute Walk Test Distance | Baseline to 12 weeks | Walking endurance was assessed using the six-minute walk test. The outcome was defined as the change in total walking distance from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in Serum Interleukin-6 Levels | Baseline to 12 weeks | Systemic inflammation was evaluated by measuring fasting serum interleukin-6 concentrations. The outcome was defined as the change in IL-6 levels from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Levels | Baseline to 12 weeks | Inflammatory status was assessed by measuring fasting serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations. The outcome was defined as the change in TNF-alpha levels from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels | Baseline to 12 weeks | Muscle anabolic status was assessed by measuring fasting serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations. The outcome was defined as the change in IGF-1 levels from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
| Change in Serum Vitamin D Levels | Baseline to 12 weeks | Vitamin D status was evaluated by measuring fasting serum vitamin D concentrations. The outcome was defined as the change in vitamin D levels from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. |
Countries
China
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSeung-Soo Baek, PhD
Department of Sport and Healthcare, Sangmyung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Outcome results
None listed