Preventing Bed-rest Induced Muscle Loss in the Elderly
Muscle LossDisuse Atrophy3 moreEpisodes of inactivity due to hospitalisation, as short as 5 days, are associated with rapid muscle and strength loss in the elderly. The observed muscle loss with inactivity is likely due to muscle anabolic resistance and increased breakdown rates of muscle tissue. This is of great concern as the average hospital stay in the elderly is 5-6 days. Moreover, minor illnesses not requiring hospitalisation generally require short-term periods of inactive home-based recovery. The accumulation of repeated disuse events in older individuals manifests in a chronic muscle anabolic resistance (i.e. the inability of muscle to respond to anabolic stimuli such as exercise and nutrition) that may underpin the slow but devastating process of age-related muscle loss. It is our belief that strategies to promote muscle health in ageing and reduce healthcare expenditure, should focus on alleviating muscle deterioration and anabolic resistance during short-term disuse. In this regard, we propose that resistance exercise (i.e. weight lifting) performed prior to a disuse event (termed 'prehabilitation') may be sufficient to offset muscle loss in older individuals. Thus, we suggest the potent effect of resistance exercise in older muscles may prevent muscle loss during short-term disuse.
Vegan Diets: the Short-term Effects on Daily Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates as Compared to Omnivorous...
SarcopeniaConsumers are increasingly encouraged to consume more plant-based foods and lower their consumption of foods from animal origin. However, the consequences of such a transition on muscle mass still remains to be explored. This is of particular importance in the older population, where sarcopenia is highly prevalent. The aim of this randomized controlled cross-over study is to investigate the short-term effect of a 10-day controlled vegan diet on daily muscle fractional synthesis rates in comparison to a 10-day controlled omnivorous diet in 35 community-dwelling older adults. Participants will follow a fully controlled vegan diet, directly followed by a fully controlled omnivorous diet for 10 days, or vice versa. Researchers will compare the effect of the vegan diet to the effect of the omnivorous diet.
Amino Acid Bioavailability in Healthy Elderly After Intake of an Oral Nutritional Supplement
SarcopeniaIn this study healthy older adults are requested to consume 4 different high-protein nutritional supplements. Each subject will visit the site 4 times and at every visit they will consume 1 of the 4 products after which a series of blood samples will be taken. The blood samples will be analyzed for amino acid bioavailability in the blood up to 4 hours after consumption.
Impact of Vitamin D on 25-hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Physical Function
Vitamin D DeficiencySarcopeniaThis one-year study will test the hypothesis that supplementation with vitamin D will improve lower extremity muscle performance in older men and women with vitamin D insufficiency.
Exercise Periodization and Older Adults
AgingPhysical Activity4 moreThe present study aimed at investigating the effects of two different resistance training protocols - nonperiodized (NP) and daily undulating periodization (DUP) - on hemodynamic, morphofunctional and cognitive parameters of robust older women. Methods: Forty-two older women were randomized allocated into one of the three experimental groups: NP, DUP, and control group (CG). Evaluations of the hemodynamic, morphofunctional and cognitive parameters occurred before, during and after six months. The exercise groups performed the program of exercise twice a week over 22 weeks. In NP, the two weekly sessions were based on 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions at a difficult intensity. However, in DUP, a power exercise session based on 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions at a moderate intensity was added in the first session of the week.
The Physiologic Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sarcopenic Obesity
ObesitySarcopenic Obesity3 moreObesity is highly prevalent in older adults and is a major cause of sarcopenia and disability in older adults. Although exercise can counteract the effects of obesity and sarcopenia, many have difficulty adhering to an exercise program and the benefits of exercise are variable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to test novel pharmacologic interventions to prevent disability and loss of independence. Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone released during parturition and lactation that is also known to suppress appetite in rodents and humans; and, recent small studies have found that intranasal oxytocin reduces body weight in adults. We propose a pilot study of intranasal oxytocin as a novel approach to promote weight loss and increase muscle mass in older subjects with sarcopenic obesity.
The Role of Muscle Protein Breakdown in the Regulation of Muscle Quality in Frail Elderly Individuals...
SarcopeniaThe purpose of this study is to investigate mechanisms underlying the reduction in muscle quality (the ratio between muscle strength and muscle size) with aging, and to investigate how these factors are affected by strength training and protein supplementation. It is already established that muscle quality defined as the ratio between the strength and the size of a muscle is improved with strength training, even in frail elderly individuals. However, the relative contribution of factors such as activation level, fat infiltration, muscle architecture and single fiber function is unknown. The main focus of this study is to investigate the relationship between muscle quality and muscle protein breakdown, as insufficient degradation of proteins is hypothesized to negatively affect muscle quality.
Effects of Resistance Training on Physical Performance, Health and Quality of Life in Elderly (RTCHealth)...
SarcopeniaBody Weight Changes1 morePhysical exercise is considered an important intervention for promoting well-being and healthy aging. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of moderate-to-high intensity resistance training circuit on different parameters of fat mass, functional autonomy, strength and quality of life in elderly. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 45 subjects, (27 females, 18 males) aged between 65-75 years old from Murcia (Spain) were randomly to experimental group (resistance training circuit for 12-weeks and isocaloric diet program) and control group (no resistance training intervention). Fat mass, functional autonomy, muscular strength, perceived exertion, and quality of life perception were obtained with validated tools. Experimental group decreases significantly their fat mass percentage whilst control group not presented differences. Muscular strength results exhibited significant differences between intervention training protocol. Furthermore, experimental group presented better marks than control group at quality of life questionnaire and functional autonomy scores. The moderate-to-high intensity resistance training circuit showed increase in upper and lower muscular strength as well as functional capacity and significantly decreased total fat mass and that improvements in physical function predict improvements in QoL perception in elderly.
Effect of an EAA/Whey Composition on Protein Metabolism
SarcopeniaSarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and function, is an inevitable natural process of aging. While it may be impossible to completely reverse the progress of sarcopenia, it is well established that intake of dietary protein through essential amino acids (EAAs) and whey protein increases anabolic response. The current study will test if a specially formulated mixture of EAAs and whey protein can maximally stimulate anabolic responses at the levels of whole body and muscle compared to whey protein alone.
Mycoprotein as the Basis of a Sustainable Diet to Support Muscle Mass Maintenance and Reconditioning...
AgingSarcopeniaA hallmark of ageing is loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia). Sarcopenia is explained, partially, by reduced responsiveness of muscle to dietary protein. This 'anabolic resistance' can be overcome by consuming protein in close proximity to exercise and/or adequate amounts across the day. Consequently, there is momentum for a greater protein RDA for older individuals. Concurrently, there is a need to establish an evidence base for the efficacy of non-animal proteins. Mycoprotein is a sustainable non-animal derived protein that imposes a significantly lower environmental burden than animal sources. Our previous work suggests that mycoprotein has the potential to support muscle tissue remodelling to a similar extent as animal derived protein sources. The study will employ a deuterium oxide tracer to quantify muscle protein synthesis over a period of three days in response to a vegan diet or animal based diet, alongside daily unilateral resistance exercise in older adults.