Effects of a Resistance Training Program in Older Women With Sarcopenia

New sarcopenia (i.e. the age-related loss of muscle mass) guidelines established in 2014
recommend identifying older individuals for interventions who have low muscle strength
and/or gait speed as these functional measures are associated with low muscle mass and
subsequent negative health consequences such as increased mortality risk. Moreover,
consensus guidelines indicate that more research, especially in older women, needs to be
conducted to test the efficacy of periodized (i.e. planned variations in the program)
resistance exercise training (RT) protocols in individuals who have been identified as
sarcopenic or at risk of sarcopenia. Our interdisciplinary research group has conducted and
published the results of several intervention studies in older adults and would like to
expand this line of research to fill a critical gap in the current research. The broad
objective of this research project is to help determine the efficacy of a periodized RT
intervention strategy to treat sarcopenia or presarcopenia and its correlates among older
women. The specific primary aim is to determine if there is significant effect of a RT
program for improving physical functioning and muscle mass in older women. Exploratory aims
are determine the impact of the RT intervention on other measures including bone density,
lipoproteins, and other health indicators. The long-term goal of this project is to generate
essential data for the submission of a more comprehensive NIH or private agency grant. The
research design will be a randomized trial with a control group and methodology of this
study will include 25 community-dwelling older women (age 65-84 years) for a 12-week
repeated measures (baseline, 6 week, and post) randomized study with a six month
observational follow-up. After baseline testing, participants will be randomized to either a
RT intervention group (RTI) or to an active control (CON) group. The RT intervention will
take place three times per week on non-consecutive days using 8-10 exercises for major
muscle groups utilizing free weights and machines follow American College of Sports Medicine
and National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines for RT in older adults. The
CON group will meet three times weekly for light physical activity and stretching. The
relevance of this research is very significant as no studies to date have specifically
examined RT in older women who have been identified as sarcopenic or presarcopenic using
newly established guidelines. This study will accept all potential participants meeting
inclusion criteria, regardless of ethnic, racial, or religious backgrounds.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Women, aged 65-84 years;

- Low lean mass and/or low physical functioning based on current guidelines;

- Currently (≥ 6 months) not engaged in a regular exercise program;

- Post-menopausal by self-report.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Failure to provide informed consent;

- Significant or suspected cognitive impairment;

- Severe hearing loss, speech disorder, language barrier or visual impairment;

- Progressive, degenerative neurologic disease;

- Terminal illness with life expectancy of < 12 months, as determined by a physician;

- Severe pulmonary disease, uncontrolled diabetes, blood pressure, or anemia;

- Medications not taken for > 3 weeks, lipid lowering medications for > 6 months;

- Major joint, vascular, abdominal, or thoracic surgery within six months;

- Significant cardiovascular disease or implanted pacemaker/defibrillator;

- Inability to safely engage in mild to moderate exercise with muscular exertion.