Effects of elastic band resistance training and nutritional supplementation on muscle quality and circulating muscle growth and degradation factors of institutionalized elderly women: the Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS)

Abstract

PurposeRegular resistance exercise training and a balanced diet may counteract the age-related muscular decline on a molecular level. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of elastic band resistance training and nutritional supplementation on circulating muscle growth and degradation factors, physical performance and muscle quality (MQ) of institutionalized elderly.MethodsWithin the Vienna Active Ageing Study, 91 women aged 83.6 (65.0–92.2) years were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups (RT, resistance training; RTS, resistance training plus nutritional supplementation; CT, cognitive training). Circulating levels of myostatin, activin A, follistatin, IGF-1 and GDF-15, as well as MQ and functional parameters were tested at baseline as well as after 3 and 6 months of intervention.ResultsMQ of lower extremities significantly increased in the RT group (+14 %) and RTS group (+12 %) after 6 months. Performance improved in the RT and RTS groups for chair stand test (RT: +18 %; RTS: +15 %). Follistatin increased only in the RT group (+18 %) in the latter phase of the intervention, accompanied by a decrease in the activin A-to-follistatin ratio (−7 %). IGF-1, myostatin and GDF-15 levels were not affected by the intervention.ConclusionOur data confirm that strength training improves physical performance and MQ even in very old institutionalized women. This amelioration appears to be mediated by blocking muscle degradation pathways via follistatin rather than inducing muscle growth through the IGF-1 pathway. As plasma levels of biomarkers reflect an overall status of various organ systems, future studies of tissue levels are suggested.

Effects of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise on body composition and physical function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…of 27.6 6 3.1 and BF% of 29.1% 6 4.8%; 4 had a sample that was predominantly composed of female participants (nearly 90% women) or had a female-specific group design with an overall BMI of 29.7 6 4.7 and BF% of 41.1% 6 7.2% (19,22,25,29).…”

“…Six RCTs used a long intervention period of $24 wk, totaling 48-72 sessions (13,19,22,(24)(25)(26); 8 used a medium intervention period of $12 wk but ,24 wk, totaling 24-48 sessions (18,20,21,27,31,33,34,37); and 3 used a short intervention period of ,12 wk, totaling 12-56 sessions (29,30,32). Most of the included RCTs used a training intensity of 50-80% of participants' one repetition maximum (1-RM) (13, 18, 25-27, 30-34, 37).…”

“…Most of the included RCTs used a training intensity of 50-80% of participants' one repetition maximum (1-RM) (13, 18, 25-27, 30-34, 37). Two RCTs (19,22) targeted the training intensity and revealed the participants' self-reported effort to be as high as 7 on the Omnibus Perceived Exertion Scale for Resistance Exercise (0 for extremely easy to 10 for extremely difficult) (48). Björkman et al (29) trained their participants by instructing them to perform chair rise tasks with maximal effort as many times as they could.…”

“…The immediate treatment effects of PS combined with RET and the clinical outcomes within 16 wk (at the midpoint assessment or after the end of the treatment protocol) were reported by 16 RCTs (13, 18-22, 24, 25, 27, 29-34, 37); the various treatment protocols comprised 12-48 sessions within an overall 4-to 16-wk intervention period. Clinical outcomes at 24 wk, after the end of the treatment protocol, were reported by 6 RCTs (13,19,22,(24)(25)(26). None of the included RCTs reported outcomes for periods .6 mo.…”

“…Whey protein or amino acid supplements, or both, have been used as one type of nutrient supplement, and they have positive effects on the body composition of elderly people undergoing RET or weight management (16,17). Several studies have investigated the effects of PS on muscle mass accretion and strength gain during RET in elderly people (13,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). However, whether PS combined with RET affects muscular and functional performance augmentation in overweight and obese older people remains unclear.…”