Nutrition assistance improves skeletal muscle function and performance in community-dwelling older women / Assistência nutricional melhora o desempenho muscular esquelético de mulheres idosas residentes na comunidade

To analyze the effects of nutritional assistance focusing on protein intake (in the individual's usual diet) in relation to muscle mass, and the muscle strength and functional performance of community-dwelling older women. Methods: This is a non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty-three community-dwelling older women, who were allocated to the Control Group (CG; n = 20) or the Nutrition Group (NG; n = 23). The NG received individualized nutrition assistance and participated in group activities that focused on dietary protein intake once a week for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures: protein and energy intake; handgrip strength (HGS); gait speed (GS); quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA); and intramuscular non-contractile tissue (IMNCT). The Student's t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U test, and a mixed model ANOVA with two factors (group and time) were adopted, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni test. A Spearman's correlation test was performed on tests for HGS; GS; CSA; IMNCT; age; and protein intake adjusted for weight (g/kg) (p ≤ 0.050). Results: Participants in the NG showed higher CSA values than those in the CG (p < 0.001). NG participants also had higher HGS (p < 0.001) and GS (p = 0.037) when compared to pre-intervention. Correlations were observed between IMNCT and protein intake adjusted for weight (g/kg) (r = -0.517; p = 0.020); HGS, and CSA (r = 0.827; p = 0.000); and CSA and age (r = -0.520, p = 0.009).

Analisar os efeitos da assistência nutricional com foco na ingestão proteica (na dieta habitual do indivíduo) em relação a massa muscular, força muscular e desempenho funcional de idosas de uma comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se um ensaio clínico controlado não randomizado. Quarenta e três idosas da comunidade foram alocadas no Grupo Controle (GC; n = 20) ou no Grupo Nutrição (GN; n = 23). O GN recebeu atendimento nutricional individualizado e participou de atividades grupais com foco na ingestão proteica da dieta uma vez por semana, durante 12 semanas. Principais medidas de resultado: ingestão de proteína e energia; força de preensão palmar (FPP); teste de velocidade da marcha (TVM); área de secção transversa do quadríceps (ASTq); e tecido intramuscular não contrátil (TIMNC). Utilizou-se o teste t de Student para amostras independentes, o teste U de Mann-Whitney e um modelo misto de análise de variância (ANOVA) com dois fatores (grupo e tempo), seguido de teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Um teste de correlação de Spearman foi realizado para FPP; TVM; ASTq; TIMNC; idade; e ingestão proteica ajustada para peso (g/kg) (p ≤ 0,050). Resultados: Os participantes do GN apresentaram valores de ASTq superiores aos do GC (p < 0,001). Os participantes do GN também exibiram maior FPP (p < 0,001) e GS (p = 0,037) quando comparados à pré-intervenção. Foram observadas correlações entre TIMNC e ingestão proteica ajustada para peso (g/kg) (r = -0,517; p = 0,020); HGS e ASTq (r = 0,827; p = 0,000); e ASTq e idade (r = -0,520, p = 0,009).

Does Physical Dance Training with Virtual Games Change Muscle Quality of Community-Dwelling Older Women?

Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze the effects of physical dance training with a virtual game on muscle quality (MQ) of community-dwelling older women. Materials and Methods: In total, 46 older women participated in the study and were assigned to either a control group (CG, n = 25, 71 ± 5 years) or training group (TG, n = 21, 69 ± 4 years). The following assessments were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks: quadriceps, ankle plantar flexor, and dorsiflexor isokinetic peak torque (PT) (Biodex System 4 Dynamometer); quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) measured using magnetic resonance imaging; intramuscular noncontractile tissue (IMNCT) (Image-Pro Plus 4.5.0.29 for Windows); and MQ (ratio of quadriceps PT to CSA). Each week for 12 weeks, the TG undertook three 40-minute sessions of physical training with the "Dance Central" game for Xbox 360® with Kinect, while the CG was instructed to maintain usual activities of daily living. Results: The TG increased quadriceps eccentric PT at 60°/s (P = 0.04) and ankle plantar flexor concentric PT at 60°/s (P = 0.02) when compared with the CG. No significant difference in quadriceps CSA, IMNCT, and MQ was observed. Conclusion: Physical dance training with virtual games can increase quadriceps and ankle plantar flexor strength without changing IMNCT and MQ of community-dwelling older women. Trial number: RBR-8xkwyp (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br-Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry).