Influence of Strength Training and Protein Supplementation on Fitness of Institutionalized Elderly

University of Vienna

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Aging

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Training; Dietary Supplement: FortiFit; Behavioral: Strength Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01775111

ActiveAgeing

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this randomized, observer-blind, controlled intervention study with parallel groups is to study the effect of strength training (2x/week for 6 months) with and without additional dietary supplementation (protein-enriched) on muscle strength, function and mass, oxidative stress parameters and the immune system in elderly institutionalized persons.

The participants (n = 120) are recruited from Viennese senior residencies (Kuratorium Wiener Pensionistenwohnheime). After a pre-participation screening participants will be distributed randomly but stratified by sex and age to one of the 3 intervention groups (cognitive training, strength training, strength training + supplement).

Study participants are eligible if they are male or female with an age over 65 years and if their cognitive status as well as their physical fitness level allows to participate at the strength training sessions. Exclusion criteria comprise chronic diseases which contraindicate the medical training therapy, serious cardiovascular disease, diabetic retinopathy and manifest osteoporosis, medication with anticoagulants or cortisone drugs and also regular strength training during the last six months.

Primary outcome measure is the change in isokinetic torque of knee extensors. Secondary outcome measures comprise anthropometric data, functional performance tests, immunological and oxidative stress parameters. The change in muscle signaling pathways will be assessed from muscle biopsies.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adequate mental condition in order to follow the instructions and to perform the resistance exercise independently (Mini-Mental-State >23)
• Ability to walk 10 meters independently (without orthopaedic devices)
• 4 or more points at the Short Physical Performance Battery

Exclusion criteria

• Chronic diseases, which contraindicate a medical training therapy
• Serious cardiovascular diseases (congestive chronic heart failure, severe or symptomatic aortic stenosis, unstable angina pectoris, untreated arterial hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias)
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Manifest osteoporosis
• Regular use of cortisone-containing drugs
• Regular strength training (> 1x / week) in the last 6 months before inclusion

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

120 participants in 3 patient groups

Cognitive Training

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Cognitive Training (riddles, skill games, ...) is performed twice a week in small groups

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive Training

Strength Training

Experimental group

Description:

Progressive strength training is applied, meaning that the intensity is adjusted continuously in order to obtain a sufficient training stimulus. Exercises are chosen to involve the major muscle groups and are performed by using the own body weight or elastic bands.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Strength Training

Strength Training and Supplement

Experimental group

Description:

In addition to strength training as described above, participants receive a water-soluble dietary supplement 9x/week (FortiFit, Nutricia) consisting of 20.7 g of protein (56 En%, 19.7 g whey protein, 3 g leucine,\> 10 g essential amino acids), 9.3 g carbohydrates (25 En%, 0.8 BE), 3.0 g fat (18 En%), 1.2 g fiber (2 En%), 800 IU (20μg) of vitamin D, 250mg calcium, vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and magnesium.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: FortiFit

Behavioral: Strength Training