Nutrition and Exercise in Sarcopenia

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a debilitating condition that involves loss of muscle mass and function, which affects virtually everyone as they age, and can lead to frailty and ultimately disability. In growing recognition of the importance of both muscle strength and muscle mass relative to body size in contributing to functional decline, recent definitions have now incorporated grip strength and a correction for body mass as part of the key criteria that define sarcopenia. With this new definition, a much larger population of older adults are now at risk of sarcopenia. In the present article, we reviewed the literature for studies which tested the effects of diet or exercise interventions on changes in lean mass and/or functional outcomes in individuals with either sarcopenia and/or frailty and identified 19 clinical trials. There were a few key findings. First, dietary interventions involving protein supplementation improved functional and/or strength outcomes in a few trials; however, other dietary approaches were less effective. Exercise interventions and combined diet and exercise interventions produced consistent improvements in lower body muscle strength but had less consistent effects on walking speed and grip strength. Lifestyle interventions not involving calorie restriction generally did not induce significant changes in body composition. There were a limited number of trials in which participants with sarcopenia were specifically targeted, and thus there is an important need for more research to determine the appropriate types of intervention approaches for the high risk population of sarcopenic older adults.

Potassium intake, skeletal muscle mass, and effect modification by sex: data from the 2008–2011 KNHANES

“…The proposed methods to prevent a loss of muscle mass in the elderly are mainly protein intake and exercise [ 25 , 26 ]. However, there have been little evidence of the effectiveness of other dietary approaches on muscle mass.…”

Antioxidants in Sport Sarcopenia

“…Consistent improvements in lower body muscle strength are evident after training and exercise combined with diet [89]. In order to balance the energy deficit and following anthropometric changes (skeletal muscle mass reduction), the essential role of optimal nutritional strategies has also been demonstrated [90].…”

Why Do Falls and Lower Limb Fractures Occur More Frequently in the Diabetic Patient and How Can They Be Prevented?

“…In institutionalized subjects a normal 25-OH vitamin D level is associated with improved psychomotor function, muscle performance and strength, and a slower decline in muscle function has been shown as well as less sarcopenia and falls [ 46 – 50 ]. Nutritional intervention involving protein supplementation (but not other dietary interventions) especially in conjunction with exercise produces consistent improvements in lower body muscle strength but has less consistent effects on hand grip or walking speed [ 51 ]. Therefore, based on these data, largely due to muscle dysfunction, and less due to changes in BMD, there is a decrease in falls and fractures in subjects with a vitamin D intake > 700 IU daily and 25-OH vitamin D levels > 40 ng/ml.…”