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Published on: July 5, 2017
Effects of an Oral Nutritional Supplementation and Physical Exercise Intervention on Older Adults at Risk for
Thiago J M Gonçalves1, Bruna T Carlos1, Mayara S de Souza1
1Nutrology and Clinical Nutrition, Sancta Maggiore Hospital, Prevent Senior Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objectives:
Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle mass (SMM) disease characterized by loss of strength with generalized loss of SMM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention on SMM, strength, and functionally in older adults.
Methods:
This is a retrospective analysis of an intervention protocol with older adults at risk of sarcopenia who performed a daily intake of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and resistance training exercise (RET), 3 times a week. Calf circumference (CC), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), handgrip strength (HGS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were performed at baseline and at 12 weeks.
Results:
Fifty-one older adults were included. The mean age was 76.3 ± 8.3 years and 68.6% were women. After 12 weeks, the study showed an increase of CC in cm (1.9 ± 2.5, p < 0.001), increase of strength in kg (5.4 ± 2.1, p < 0.001), reduction of TUG in seconds (-2.4 ± 4.8, p = 0.001), increase of free-fat mass in kg (1.0 ± 1.3, p < 0.001) and SMM in kg (0.9 ± 0.5, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Nutritional intervention with ONS associated with RET, can increase muscle strength, SMM and functionality among older adults at risk for sarcopenia.
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