Sarcopenia and Combined-modality Exercise

The University of The West Indies38 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Interventions

High intensity exerciseOTHER

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.

Usual care home exerciseOTHER

Walking 30 minutes, chair rises and flexibility exercises for trunk and upper extremities 5 days per week

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

UWI Solutions for Developing Countries (SODECO)

Kingston, KSA, Jamaica

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Functional endurance

Distance walked in 6 minutes

Time frame: 6 months

Disability

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.

Time frame: 6 months

Lower extremity (LE) functional strength

1-repetition maximum (RM) strength

Time frame: 6 months

Accelerometry

weekly energy expenditure

Time frame: 6 months

self-selected walk speed

speed in the timed-10-metre walk

Time frame: 6 months

Appendicular lean mass index

dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measured appendicular lean mass summed and divided by height squared, expressed in kg/m2

Time frame: 6 months

Balance

Berg balance test score: minimum score = 0, maximum score = 56. Lower values indicate worse outcome

Time frame: 6 months

Fat-free mass

dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) determined: fat mass subtracted from weight, expressed in kg

Time frame: 6 months

Secondary Outcomes

Depression

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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