The Effects of Timing of a Leucine-Enriched Amino Acid Supplement on Body Composition and Physical Function in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The combination of exercise and nutritional intervention is widely used for stroke patients, as well as frail or sarcopenic older persons. As previously shown, supplemental branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) or protein to gain muscle mass has usually been given just after exercise. This study investigated the effect of the timing of supplemental BCAAs with exercise intervention on physical function in stroke patients. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups based on the timing of supplementation: breakfast (n = 23) and post-exercise (n = 23). The supplement in the breakfast group was provided at 08:00 with breakfast, and in the post-exercise group it was provided just after the exercise session in the afternoon at 14:00-18:00. In both groups, the exercise intervention was performed with two sessions a day for two months. The main effects were observed in body fat mass (p = 0.02, confidence interval (CI): 13.2-17.7), leg press strength (p = 0.04, CI: 94.5-124.5), and Berg balance scale (p = 0.03, CI: 41.6-52.6), but no interaction with intake timing was observed. Although the effect of the timing of supplementation on skeletal muscle mass was similar in both groups, BCAA intake with breakfast was effective for improving physical performance and decreasing body fat mass. The results suggest that a combination of BCAA intake with breakfast and an exercise program was effective for promoting rehabilitation of post-stroke patients.

Treinamento muscular respiratório em idosos: estudo de revisão / Respiratory muscle training in older adults: review article

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory muscle training has been considered one of the main strategies to alleviate sarcopenia in older adults. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify which respiratory muscle training protocols are most used in this population and their main benefits described in the literature. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). For this, we used the terms: respiratory muscle training, older adults, and muscle weakness. A total of 80 articles were studied, of which only 8 met the inclusion criteria of this study, whose methodology, variables studied, and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 8 articles analyzed, we can observe an important diversity of the studied protocols; and all articles showed the most varied gains possible with respiratory muscle training. CONCLUSION: The protocols used in the various studies depend directly on the objective to be achieved with respiratory muscle training; and the main outcomes were improvements in strength, lung function, physical fitness level, quality of life, inflammatory markers and glucose intake.

OBJETIVO: O treinamento muscular respiratório vem sendo considerado uma das principais estratégias para amenizar a sarcopenia em idosos, portanto, o presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar quais protocolos de treinamento muscular respiratório são mais utilizados em idosos e os seus principais benefícios encontrados na literatura. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Para tanto, foram utilizados os termos: treinamento muscular respiratório, idosos e fraqueza muscular. Foi estudado um total de 80 artigos, dos quais apenas 8 preencheram os critérios de inclusão deste estudo, cuja metodologia, variáveis estudadas e desfecho foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Dos oito artigos analisados, podemos observar uma importante diversidade dos protocolos estudados; e em todos os artigos foram encontrados ganhos dos mais variados possíveis com o treinamento muscular respiratório. CONCLUSÃO: Os protocolos utilizados nos diversos estudos dependem diretamente do objetivo a ser alcançado com o treinamento muscular respiratório; e os principais desfechos foram a melhora na força, na função pulmonar, no nível de aptidão física, na qualidade de vida, em marcadores inflamatórios e no consumo da glicose.

Effects of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle mass and strength, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation on physical function, muscle strength, muscle mass, and nutritional status in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation. METHODS: We carried out an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, controlled, blinded outcome, two-cohort parallel group intervention trial of sarcopenic older adults undergoing in-hospital rehabilitation. The eligibility criteria included older adults (aged ≥65 years) with low muscle strength (handgrip strength) and low muscle mass (calf circumference) according to the cut-off values for older Asians. The intervention group received branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation, whereas the control group did not. Both groups underwent low-intensity resistance training in addition to the post-acute rehabilitation program. The primary outcome of physical function (Functional Independence Measure-motor scores), and the secondary outcomes of muscle strength (handgrip strength), muscle mass (calf circumference) and nutritional status (body mass index) were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Finally, a total of 68 patients were analyzed (intention-to-treat analysis): 35 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Functional Independence Measure-motor scores increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05). However, no treatment-by-time effects were observed (median estimated difference 2.4, 95% confidence interval -1.2 to 7.1). Handgrip strength, calf circumference and body mass index increased significantly in both groups over time (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the intervention group (P = 0.041, 0.033 and 0.035, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that an 8-week intervention of branched-chain amino acids and vitamin D supplementation with low-intensity resistance training improves muscle-related outcomes in sarcopenic older adults undergoing hospital-based rehabilitation (UMIN000006238). Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 12-17.

Exercise alone or combined with dietary supplements for sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older people: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) represents a major public health concern. Physical activity has been recommended to minimize functional decline in the elderly and it may also be relevant to SO management. The purpose of this systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to investigate the effects of different exercise modalities, alone or combined with nutritional supplementation, on body composition, muscle strength and physical function in healthy community-dwelling older adults with SO. A literature search was performed using the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and Cochrane Plus databases. The main inclusion criteria were that the papers were English-language reports of RCTs involving healthy community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years with SO. The initial search identified 2073 publications from the 4 databases and 72 additional records; 42 full-text records were assessed for eligibility and 8 articles were finally included. The search was conducted from December 1, 2017 to January 8, 2018. The types of exercises were resistance and aerobic training, either alone or combined, and whole-body electromyostimulation. Protein supplementation was included in three studies. The diversity of the methodologies employed and of the results observed does not allow us to reach a clear conclusion. Whereas five of the studies reported improvements in obesity, results were contradictory concerning muscle mass. Increases in muscle strength appeared especially with resistance training and do not seem to be linked to protein supplementation. On the other hand, improvements in physical function were reported in programs combining aerobic and resistance training with nutritional supplementation. We believe that it is of the utmost importance that a certain degree of homogeneity is kept concerning the methods and criteria used in the diagnosis of SO, so that the effects of specific physical exercise programs, whether alone or combined with nutritional supplements, can be assessed with precision.

Protein-enriched, milk-based supplement to counteract sarcopenia in acutely ill geriatric patients offered resistance exercise training during and after hospitalisation: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, sarcopaenia, burdens many older adults. The process is accelerated with bed rest, protein intakes below requirements and the catabolic effect of certain illnesses. Thus, acutely ill, hospitalised older adults are particularly vulnerable. Protein supplementation can preserve muscle mass and/or strength and, combining this with resistance exercise training (RT), may have additional benefits. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of protein supplementation as an addition to offering RT among older adults while admitted to the geriatric ward and after discharge. This has not previously been investigated. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In a block-randomised, double-blind, multicentre intervention study, 165 older adults above 70 years, fulfilling the eligibility criteria, will be included consecutively from three medical departments (blocks of n=20, stratified by recruitment site). After inclusion, participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either ready-to-drink, protein-enriched, milk-based supplements (a total of 27.5 g whey protein/day) or isoenergetic placebo products (<1.5 g protein/day), twice daily as a supplement to their habitual diet. Both groups will be offered a standardised RT programme for lower extremity muscle strength (daily while hospitalised and 4×/week after discharge). The study period starts during their hospital stay and continues 12 weeks after discharge. The primary endpoint is lower extremity muscle strength and function (30 s chair-stand-test). Secondary endpoints include muscle mass, measures of physical function and measures related to cost-effectiveness. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval is given by the Research Ethic Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (reference no. H-16018240) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (reference no. HGH-2016-050). There are no expected risks associated with participation, and each participant is expected to benefit from the RT. Results will be published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at national and international congresses and symposiums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02717819 (9 March 2016).

Sarcopenia: what should a pharmacist know? / Sarcopenia: ¿qué tiene que saber un farmacéutico?

Sarcopenia (or muscle insufficiency) is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and function which has adverse consequences, particularly physical disability, falls and death. It can develop slowly, as a chronic condition that emerges over many years, or acutely, generally due to immobilization associated with an acute disease. The physiopathology of sarcopenia is complex, and affects both the muscle and its neurological and hormonal regulation. The prevalence of sarcopenia increases with age and in certain healthcare settings (nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres). Its diagnosis is based on the documentation of a low muscle mass associated with low muscle strength and/or low physical performance. Once confirmed, a syndromic approach is needed, based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment in order to determine its causes and prepare a treatment plan which addresses the treatment of symptoms as well as the etiology. Prevention of sarcopenia starts in the adult age, through the promotion of adequate nutritional habits, an increase in physical activity and, ideally, resistance exercise. Sarcopenia treatment must necessarily include resistance exercises (that can be associated with other types of exercise) and an improvement in diet, increasing protein intake up to 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day and covering caloric requirements. In some cases, this will require the use of nutritional supplements, which can contain leucine, beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate acid (HMB) and vitamin D, in order to optimize its effects on the muscle. There are still no medications available to treat sarcopenia (AU)

La sarcopenia (o insuficiencia muscular) es un síndrome geriátrico caracterizado por una pérdida progresiva y generalizada de masa y función del músculo esquelético que tiene consecuencias adversas, especialmente la discapacidad física, las caídas y la muerte. Puede producirse de forma crónica, a lo largo de muchos años, o aguda, generalmente por una inmovilización asociada a una enfermedad aguda. La fisiopatología de la sarcopenia es compleja y afecta tanto al músculo como a su regulación neurológica y hormonal. La prevalencia de la sarcopenia aumenta con la edad y en determinados entornos asistenciales (residencias, hospitales, centros de rehabilitación). Su diagnóstico se basa en la documentación de una baja masa muscular asociada a baja fuerza muscular y/o bajo rendimiento físico. Una vez se confirma, es preciso adoptar un enfoque sindrómico y usar una valoración geriátrica integral para determinar sus causas y elaborar un plan de tratamiento que incluya tanto el tratamiento de los síntomas como el etiológico. La prevención de la sarcopenia comienza en la edad adulta, a través de la promoción de hábitos de alimentación correctos, un aumento de la actividad física e, idealmente, ejercicios de resistencia. El tratamiento de la sarcopenia debe incluir necesariamente ejercicios de resistencia (que pueden asociarse a otros tipos de ejercicio) y la mejora de la dieta, aumentando la ingesta proteica hasta 1,2-1,5 g/kg/día y cubriendo los requerimientos calóricos. En algunos casos será preciso para ello el uso de suplementos nutricionales, que pueden contener leucina, ácido β-hidroxi β-metilbutírico (HMB) y vitamina D, para optimizar sus efectos en el músculo. Aún no disponemos de medicamentos para tratar la sarcopenia (AU)

The effect of combined resistance exercise training and vitamin D3 supplementation on musculoskeletal health and function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In older adults, there is a blunted responsiveness to resistance training and reduced muscle hypertrophy compared with younger adults. There is evidence that both exercise training and vitamin D supplementation may benefit musculoskeletal health in older adults, and it is plausible that in combination their effects may be additive. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of combined resistance exercise training and vitamin D3 supplementation on musculoskeletal health in older adults. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane CENTRAL accessed by Wiley Science) was conducted. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials including men and women (aged ≥65 years or mean age ≥65 years); enlisting resistance exercise training and vitamin D3 supplementation; including outcomes of muscle strength, function, muscle power, body composition, serum vitamin D/calcium status or quality of life comparing results with a control group. The review was informed by a preregistered protocol (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42015020157). RESULTS: Seven studies including a total of 792 participants were identified. Studies were categorised into two groups; group 1 compared vitamin D3 supplementation and exercise training versus exercise alone (describing the additive effect of vitamin D3 supplementation when combined with resistance exercise training) and group 2 compared vitamin D3 supplementation and exercise training versus vitamin D3 supplementation alone (describing the additive effect of resistance exercise training when combined with vitamin D3 supplementation).Meta-analyses for group 1 found muscle strength of the lower limb to be significantly improved within the intervention group (0.98, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.24, p<0.001); all other outcomes showed small but non-significant positive effects for the intervention group. The short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed up and go (TUG), muscle strength of the lower limb and femoral neck bone mineral density showed significantly greater improvements in the intervention group for group 2 comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides tentative support for the additive effect of resistance exercise and vitamin D3 supplementation for the improvement of muscle strength in older adults. For other functional variables, such as SPPB and TUG, no additional benefit beyond exercise was shown. Further evidence is required to draw firm conclusions or make explicit recommendations regarding combined exercise and vitamin D3 supplementation.

Impact of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team on evaluating sarcopenia, cachexia and practice of rehabilitation nutrition.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine whether the presence of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team affects sarcopenia and cachexia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using online questionnaire among members of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (JARN) was conducted. Questions were related to sarcopenia and cachexia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition. RESULTS: 677 (14.7%) questionnaires were analysed. 44.5% reported that their institution employed a rehabilitation nutrition team, 20.2% conducted rehabilitation nutrition rounds and 26.1% conducted rehabilitation nutrition meetings. A total of 51.7%, 69.7%, 69.0% and 17.8% measured muscle mass, muscle strength, physical function and cachexia, respectively. For those with a rehabilitation nutrition team, 63.5%, 80.7%, 82.4% and 22.9% measured muscle mass, muscle strength, physical function and cachexia, respectively, whereas 46.7%, 78.0% and 78.1% of the respondents reported implementation of nutrition planning strategies in consideration of energy accumulation, rehabilitation training in consideration of nutritional status and use of dietary supplements, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of a rehabilitation nutrition team independently affected sarcopenia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition but not cachexia evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation nutrition team increased the frequency of sarcopenia evaluation and practice of rehabilitation nutrition. J. Med. Invest. 64: 140-145, February, 2017.

Aspects of physical medicine and rehabilitation in the treatment of deconditioned patients in the acute care setting: the role of skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscles are essential for movement as well as for survival. Knowledge about the organ skeletal muscle is underrepresented. Ageing and multiple chronic diseases are accompanied by loss of muscle mass, termed "muscle wasting". Nevertheless, muscles are one of the target organs within the rehabilitation process. This review highlights the role of skeletal muscles from various aspects, diagnostic procedures to quantify muscle mass and strength and, most importantly, lists countermeasures to muscle wasting. Although structured and progressive strength training is the cornerstone in the treatment of muscle wasting, several other methods exist to slow down or reverse the process of muscle wasting. Among them are neuromuscular electrical stimulation and alternative exercise modes, positioning, stretching and, as an emerging field, drug therapy.

Early nutritional support and physiotherapy improved long-term self-sufficiency in acutely ill older patients.

OBJECTIVE: An acute disease is regularly associated with inflammation, decreased food intake, and low physical activity; the consequence is loss of muscle mass. However, the restoration of muscle tissue is problematic, especially in older patients. Loss of muscle mass leads to further decrease of physical activity which leads, together with recurring disease, to the progressive muscle mass loss accompanied by loss of self-sufficiency. Early nutrition support and physical activity could reverse this situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether an active approach based on early nutritional therapy and exercise would influence the development of sarcopenia and impaired self-sufficiency during acute illness. METHODS: Two hundred patients >78 y were admitted to a hospital internal medicine department and participated in a prospective, randomized controlled study. The patients were randomized to a control group receiving standard treatment (n = 100) or to an intervention group (n = 100). The intervention consisted of nutritional supplements (600 kcal, 20 g/d protein) added to a standard diet and a simultaneous intensive rehabilitation program. The tolerance of supplements and their influence on spontaneous food intake, self-sufficiency, muscle strength, and body composition were evaluated during the study period. The patients were then regularly monitored for 1 y post-discharge. RESULTS: The provision of nutritional supplements together with early rehabilitation led to increased total energy and protein intake while the intake of standard hospital food was not reduced. The loss of lean body mass and a decrease in self-sufficiency were apparent at discharge from the hospital and 3 mo thereafter in the control group. Nutritional supplementation and the rehabilitation program in the study group prevented these alterations. A positive effect of nutritional intervention and exercise during the hospital stay was apparent at 6 mo post-discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The early nutritional intervention together with early rehabilitation preserves muscle mass and independence in ill older patients hospitalized because of acute disease.

Sarcopenia in older people.

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. It has been receiving international attention because of its increased prevalence in western societies, such as Australia, which have large and growing older populations. Adverse health consequences of sarcopenia are falls and loss of independence, increased health costs and reduced quality of life. Recently, there have been international attempts to come to a consensus with regards to a definition of the condition, and, increasingly, clinicians are being encouraged to screen and assess for sarcopenia. Screening pathways are being investigated and some are discussed in this review. There is an emphasis on early screening, as it is believed that early detection will allow early intervention. As with most conditions in older age, there are many environmental and medical factors that can contribute to the development and worsening of sarcopenia, and it is important that, when possible, these contributing factors be addressed. Pharmaceutical treatment strategies are under development with some early promise and there is the possibility of clinical trials in the near future. Currently, nutritional supplementation and physical therapy are the strategies advocated for the management of sarcopenia once it is diagnosed.

[Frailty from the rehabilitation medicine point of view]. / Gebrechlichkeit aus rehabilitativer Sicht.

BACKGROUND: Frailty syndrome exerts an increasing challenge to health care systems. Thus, rehabilitative interventions should be taken to prevent or slow this syndrome. METHODS: Based on the definitions of frailty and rehabilitation, the present work gives an overview of current treatment options. The methodology and evidence for device-assisted training forms such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation or mechanical muscle stimulation are discussed. The use of various forms of training for frail patients is critically discussed. RESULTS: Among other things, age- and disease-related changes in skeletal muscle play a central role in the development of frailty. Progressive strength training is an evidence-based rehabilitative strategy to improve function. Since this form of strength training can be a vigorous exercise especially for the elderly and infirmed, it can be offered as an alternative form of training.

Sarcopenia and fragility fractures.

Sarcopenia, a reduction in muscle mass and muscle function, is considered one of the hallmarks of the aging process. Current views consider sarcopenia as the consequence of multiple medical, behavioural and environmental factors that characterize aged individuals. Likewise bone fragility is known to depend on several pathogenetic mechanisms leading to bone mass loss and reduction of bone strength. Muscle weakness, fear of falls, falls and subsequent fractures are associated to concurrent sarcopenia and osteoporosis and lead to restricted mobility, loss of autonomy and reduced life expectancy. The skeletal and the muscular organ systems are tightly intertwined: the strongest mechanical forces applied to bones are, indeed, those created by muscle contractions that condition bone density, strength, and microarchitecture. Not surprising, therefore, the decrease in muscle strength leads to lower bone strength. The degenerative processes leading to osteoporosis and sarcopenia show many common pathogenic pathways, like the sensitivity to reduced anabolic hormone secretion, increased inflammatory cytokine activity and reduced physical activity. Thus they may also respond to the same kind of treatments. Basic is life-style interventions related to exercise and nutrition. Sufficient vitamin D levels are of importance for both bone and muscle, primarily provided by sun exposure at younger age, and by supplementation at older age. Resistance training several times per week is crucial, and to be effective adequate access to energy and proteins is necessary.

Effect of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) on lean body mass during 10 days of bed rest in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Loss of muscle mass due to prolonged bed rest decreases functional capacity and increases hospital morbidity and mortality in older adults. OBJECTIVE: To determine if HMB, a leucine metabolite, is capable of attenuating muscle decline in healthy older adults during complete bed rest. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group design study was carried out in 24 healthy (SPPB ≥ 9) older adult subjects (20 women, 4 men), confined to complete bed rest for ten days, followed by resistance training rehabilitation for eight weeks. Subjects in the experimental group were treated with HMB (calcium salt, 1.5 g twice daily - total 3 g/day). Control subjects were treated with an inactive placebo powder. Treatments were provided starting 5 days prior to bed rest till the end rehabilitation phase. DXA was used to measure body composition. RESULTS: Nineteen eligible older adults (BMI: 21-33; age: 60-76 year) were evaluable at the end of the bed rest period (Control n = 8; Ca-HMB n = 11). Bed rest caused a significant decrease in total lean body mass (LBM) (2.05 ± 0.66 kg; p = 0.02, paired t-test) in the Control group. With the exclusion of one subject, treatment with HMB prevented the decline in LBM over bed rest -0.17 ± 0.19 kg; p = 0.23, paired t-test). There was a statistically significant difference between treatment groups for change in LBM over bed rest (p = 0.02, ANOVA). Sub-analysis on female subjects (Control = 7, HMB = 8) also revealed a significant difference in change in LBM over bed rest between treatment groups (p = 0.04, ANOVA). However, differences in function parameters could not be observed, probably due to the sample size of the study. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy older adults, HMB supplementation preserves muscle mass during 10 days of bed rest. These results need to be confirmed in a larger trial.