Physical Activity Program for Counteracting Sarcopenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Sarcopenia is a pathophysiological process associated with aging and some metabolic conditions characterized by progressive muscle tissue loss, which may lead to loss of strangth and performance and increase risk of falls and fractures, physical disability and premature death. Therefore, it is necessary to identify personalized programs of physical activity and supplementation for elderly population in order to improve their physical functions, muscle strengh and body composition. With the present project we aime to assess the effect of a feasible home-based exercise program coupled with food supplementation to improve muscle strength, muscle volume and muscle physical performance potentially associated with sarcopenia in elderly people.

Official Title
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Effects of an Home-base Physical Activity Program for Counteracting Sarcopenia in Elderly: a Randomized-controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Sarcopenia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Physical activity
* Dietary Supplement: Physical activity and supplementation
* Other: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Sedentary lifestyle. Cognitively intact. Autonomous walking. Acceptance of informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Body mass index lower than 18.5 and uppen than 40 kg/m2. History of cancer. Pacemaker user. History of epileptic episodes. Endocrine-metabolic, neurological, muscular and ortopedic pathologies that affect movement functions. Bone fractures that influence movement functions. Smoking. Surgical treatments in the prior 6 months. Use of antieptilectics, glucocorticoids, rhGH and testosterone. Hepatic and muscular pathologies

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Physical activity group<br> | Behavioral: Physical activity<br>* Home-based physical activity program<br>|
| Experimental: Physical activity and supplementation group<br> | Dietary Supplement: Physical activity and supplementation<br>* Home-based physical activity program and amminoacid supplementation<br>|
| Experimental: Control group<br> | Other: Control<br>* No intervention<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lower limb strength | Assessed by chair stand test | Baseline and Week 24 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body composition | Assessed by Whole-body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry | Baseline and Week 24 | 
| Quantify thigh cross sectional area | Assessed by Dixon magnetic resonance imaging | Baseline and Week 24 | 
| Maximum isometric force that a hand can squeeze | Assessed by Hand Grip Strength test | Baseline and Week 24 | 
| Maximal Isometric Strength of Knee flexors and extensors | Assessed by a belt-stabilized dynamometer | Baseline AND Week 24 | 
| Dynamic balance and gait deficits | Assessed by mini-BESTest | Baseline and Week 24 |