Effects of a 2‐year exercise training on neuromuscular system health in older individuals with low muscle function

• Published in: Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle sarcopenia and muscle, 2023-04, Vol.14 (2), p.794-804
• Main Authors: Monti, Elena, Tagliaferri, Sara, Zampieri, Sandra, Sarto, Fabio, Sirago, Giuseppe, Franchi, Martino Vladimiro, Ticinesi, Andrea, Longobucco, Yari, Adorni, Elisa, Lauretani, Fulvio, Von Haehling, Stephan, Marzetti, Emanuele, Calvani, Riccardo, Bernabei, Roberto, Cesari, Matteo, Maggio, Marcello, Narici, Marco Vincenzo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aged; Aging; Aging - physiology; Alzheimer's disease; Balance; Biomarkers; C‐terminal agrin fragment (CAF); elderly; Enzymes; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; exercise intervention; Female; Fitness training programs; Geriatrics; Humans; Investigations; Male; Morphology; Muscle function; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; neurofilament light chain (NfL); Neuromuscular system; Older people; Original; Physical fitness; Sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - epidemiology; skeletal muscle; Statistical analysis; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 2190-5991; 2190-6009
• DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13173

Background Ageing is accompanied by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, potentially determining the insurgence of sarcopenia. Evidence suggests that motoneuron and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration contribute to sarcopenia pathogenesis. Seeking for strategies able to slow down sarcopenia insurgence and progression, we investigated whether a 2‐year mixed‐model training involving aerobic, strength and balance exercises would be effective for improving or preserving motoneuronal health and NMJ stability, together with muscle mass, strength and functionality in an old, sarcopenic population. Methods Forty‐five sarcopenic elderly (34 females; 11 males) with low dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) lean mass and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score