Effects of Variable Load Exercise on Aging Atrophy

Summary

The primary aim of this research proposal is to examine whether this novel training program approach is capable to tackle excessive loss in muscle mass, function and contractile capacity with aging. Previous investigations have universally shown a dramatic loss in type II muscle fibers, while certain countermeasures in their follow-up studies were generally ineffective and limited to attenuate this phenomenon. Probably, they failed to meet recruitment threshold of larger motor units and subsequently innervate type II muscle fibers. Furthermore, previous investigations also failed to provide any data on specific blood markers that may provide additional insight into muscle fiber loss with aging. Muscle fibers type II play a crucial role in the human ability to produce as much as force as possible over a limited time-frame (e.g. 100-200 ms) to counteract unexpected perturbations during stair climbing for example and thus avoiding falls. Therefore, this data collection would be noteworthy in particular, especially for this population due to health-related outcomes and healthy aging process.

Since age-related decline is accelerated already after short bouts of physical inactivity, with small recovery potential, any attempt to counteract age-related and disuse-related decline have high clinical significance. Based on the findings, data collected may aid in development of safety guidelines and protocols aimed at reducing health risks in this specific population. Importantly, in case the aforementioned hypotheses are confirmed, present findings may offer important information to the healthcare system, especially for reducing economic burden.

Conditions

• Sarcopenia
• Hypertension
• Muscle Atrophy

Interventions

DEVICE

Variable load exercise

This study is being conducted to determine whether variable load training approach (nHANCE™ squat - more data available at http://nhance.se/) is an effective countermeasure to attenuate for rapid declines in muscle power, function, that typically originate from aging and muscle disuse. Since age-related decline is accelerated already after short bouts of physical inactivity, with small recovery potential, any attempt to counteract age-related and disuse-related decline have high clinical significance. Based on the findings, safety guidelines and protocols could be developed aimed at reducing health risks in seniors. Importantly, in case present hypotheses are confirmed, this may offer important information to the healthcare system.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Slovenian Research Agency

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital of Split

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rado Pisot, PhD · Science and Research Center Koper, Institute for Kinesiology Research

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-07-05

Primary Completion

2020-03-30

Completion

2020-07-30

Countries

• Slovenia

Study Locations