Abstract:

This study compares the effects of two peripheral and respiratory muscle resistance training programmes on muscle mass and strength and physical performance and identifies the appropriate muscle mass parameter to assess the effects of the intervention. Thirty-seven institutionalised Spanish older adults with sarcopenia were analysed: control group (n = 17), respiratory muscle training group (n = 9) and peripheral muscle training group (n = 11). Outcomes measured were appendicular skeletal muscle mass (MEA/height2, MEA/weight and MEA/IMC), isometric knee extension, arm flexion and hand grip strength, peak inspiratory and expiratory pressures and gait speed before and after the intervention. The trained groups participated in a 12-week programme and improved in peak static inspiratory pressure, peak static expiratory pressure, knee extension and arm flexion (p < 0.05), while non-significant changes were found in gait speed and ASM indices before and after the intervention in all three groups. In conclusion, resistance training improved skeletal muscle strength in the studied population, and any ASM index was found to be appropriate to detect changes after physical interventions.

Reference:

Cebrià, M.A.; Balasch, I.; Tortosa, M.A.; Balasch, S. (2018): Effects of Resistance Training of Peripheral Muscles versus Respiratory Muscles in Institutionalized Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 26(4), pp. 637-646. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0268