Published in:
01-11-2019 | Sarcopenia
Effect of a Resistance Training Program on Sarcopenia and Functionality of the Older Adults Living in a Nursing Home
Published in: The journal of nutrition, health & aging | Issue 9/2019
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Importance
There are currently few evidence about resistance training as a treatment for sarcopenia in the nursing home setting.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of a resistance training program on the sarcopenia and functionality of the elderly living in a nursing home.
Design, Setting, and Participants
A blinded longitudinal intervention study conducted in elderly people living in a nursing home from August to November 2016. Participants included a convenience sample of 19 older adults.
Intervention
We prescribed a resistance exercise program three times a week for 12 weeks. The scheme was two to three sets with eight to 15 repetitions per exercise.
Main Outcome and Measures
The primary outcome was an increase in muscle strength and an improvement in physical performance of the elderly people living in nursing homes.
Results
19 older adults between 77.7 ± 8.9 years old, completed the 12 week resistance exercise program achieving a significant increase in muscle strength to 5.7 Kg (p = 0.0001) as well as nutritional intake for the first four weeks (p = 0.001); we found an improvement in physical performance (p = 0.0001) in balance (p = 0.0001), chair stand (p = 0.036) and gait speed (p = 0.0001). Of the 47.4% that reached sarcopenia degree, in the end it was 33.3%. A relationship with nutritional status (p = 0.004) and age (p = 0.019) was found with the initial and final handgrip strength (p = 0.041).
Conclusions and relevance
The resistance training program improves the functionality (muscle strength and physical performance), with the benefit of the decrease in severe sarcopenia.