Multicomponent exercises including muscle power training enhance muscle mass, power output, and functional outcomes in institutionalized frail nonagenarians

• Published in: AGE 2014-04, Vol.36 (2), p.773-785
• Main Authors: Cadore, Eduardo L., Casas-Herrero, Alvaro, Zambom-Ferraresi, Fabricio, Idoate, Fernando, Millor, Nora, Gómez, Marisol, Rodriguez-Mañas, Leocadio, Izquierdo, Mikel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - prevention & control; Age; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Balance; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Clinical trials; Exercise; Falls; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Gait; Gait - physiology; Geriatrics; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Gerontology; Humans; Institutionalization; Intervention; Life Sciences; Male; Medical disorders; Medical research; Molecular Medicine; Motor Activity - physiology; Muscle strength; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscular system; Musculoskeletal system; Older people; Physical fitness; Population; Postural Balance; Resistance Training - methods; Sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - physiopathology; Sarcopenia - rehabilitation; Strength training; Studies; Treatment Outcome; Velocity; Walking; Weightlifting
• ISSN: 0161-9152; 2509-2715; 1574-4647; 2509-2723
• DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9586-z

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of multicomponent training on muscle power output, muscle mass, and muscle tissue attenuation; the risk of falls; and functional outcomes in frail nonagenarians. Twenty-four elderly (91.9 ± 4.1 years old) were randomized into intervention or control group. The intervention group performed a twice-weekly, 12-week multicomponent exercise program composed of muscle power training (8–10 repetitions, 40–60 % of the one-repetition maximum) combined with balance and gait retraining. Strength and power tests were performed on the upper and lower limbs. Gait velocity was assessed using the 5-m habitual gait and the time-up-and-go (TUG) tests with and without dual-task performance. Balance was assessed using the FICSIT-4 tests. The ability to rise from a chair test was assessed, and data on the incidence and risk of falls were assessed using questionnaires. Functional status was assessed before measurements with the Barthel Index. Midthigh lower extremity muscle mass and muscle fat infiltration were assessed using computed tomography. The intervention group showed significantly improved TUG with single and dual tasks, rise from a chair and balance performance ( P