Impact of nutrition intervention and physical exercise on muscle mass and body fat among community elderly with sarcopenia: a randomized controlled study / 中华临床营养杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the impact of nutrition supplementation (whey protein, fish oil and vitamin D) and physical exercise (resistance and aerobic exercise) on muscle mass and body fat metrics among community elderly with sarcopenia.Method:102 eligible sarcopenic participants per inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into the control group (routine consultation, n=34) or the groups receiving nutrition supplementation (Nutr, n=34) or nutrition supplementation combined with exercise (Nutr+Ex, n=34) for 12 weeks. Muscle and body fat related indicators were compared across groups pre- and post-intervention. Results:Analysis of covariance showed that all indicators were significantly different between groups (all P<0.05). Further pairwise comparisons showed that compared with controls, patients in Nutr group showed increased appendicular muscle mass (ASM) by 0.837 kg ( P=0.003, 95% CI 0.301 to 1.372) and decreased fat mass by 2.876 kg ( P<0.01, 95% CI -3.941 to -1.812), while patients in Nutr+Ex group showed increased ASM by 0.745 kg ( P=0.010, 95% CI 0.180 to 1.311) and decreased fat mass by 2.928kg ( P<0.01, 95% CI -4.408 to -1.808). Other muscle-related indicators also increased while fat-related indicators decreased in both Nutr and Nutr+Ex groups. However, there is no significant difference between Nutr and Nutr+Ex groups. Conclusions:Nutrition supplementation and physical exercise contribute to muscle mass and body fat improvement among sarcopenic elderly. Lifestyle intervention based on nutrition intervention is important for the community elderly with sarcopenia.