ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH01
INTRODUCTION: The Sit-to-Stand (STS) test is widely used in geriatrics to assess physical function and allows the estimation of STS power through validated equations (1). While STS power improves the prediction of adverse outcomes, the relative contribution of directly-measured neuromuscular power versus cardiorespiratory fitness to power values obtained across different STS durations remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the contribution of maximal power (Pmax) and oxygen consumption at the second ventilatory threshold (VO₂@VT2) to STS power across short and long STS protocols. METHODS: A total of 114 middle-aged participants from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging in Middle Age were included (56.1% women; age = 54.3 ± 1.4 years). Absolute STS muscle power was estimated in the 5-repetition (5STS), 30-s (30STS), and 60-s (60STS) STS tests (1). Pmax (W) was derived from the force–velocity profile in the leg press exercise, and VO₂@VT2 (L·min-1) was identified during an incremental cycle-ergometer test. Analysis of variance was used to analyse power differences between STS protocols. Pearson correlations and multivariate linear regressions were performed to determine the independent contribution of Pmax and VO₂@VT2 to STS power. Analyses were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: STS power differed significantly between the 5STS (women: 348 ± 81 W; men: 571 ± 111 W), 30STS (women: 334 ± 76 W; men: 566 ± 117 W), and 60STS (women: 290 ± 70 W; men: 501 ± 114 W) in both sexes (all p < 0.001); except between 5STS power and 30STS power in men (p = 1.000). Of note, 5STS duration was 6.37 ± 1.73 s in women and 5.62 ± 0.91 s in men. Across STS protocols, STS power showed consistent positive associations with both Pmax (5STS: r = 0.203, p = 0.031; 30STS: r = 0.312, p = 0.001; 60STS: r = 0.319, p = 0.001) and VO₂@VT2 (5STS: r = 0.306, p = 0.001; 30STS: r = 0.364, p < 0.001; 60STS: r = 0.336, p < 0.001). Age- and sex-adjusted regression models explained 61–65% of the variance (adj-R²: 5STS = 0.618; 30STS = 0.659; 60STS = 0.618). Pmax was a consistent significant independent predictor in all tests (5STS: std. β = 0.214, p = 0.045; 30STS: std. β = 0.225, p = 0.026; 60STS: std. β = 0.24, p = 0.025). Notably, VO₂@VT2 did not predict 5STS power (std. β = 0.080, p = 0.330) but was a significant predictor for 30STS power (std. β = 0.164, p = 0.036) and 60STS power (std. β = 0.188, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Maximal neuromuscular power was a significant determinant of STS power across all STS durations. However, as the test duration increased (30STS and 60STS), cardiorespiratory fitness became a significant contributor. These findings suggest that longer STS protocols capture a mixed physiological profile, relying on both neuromuscular and aerobic capacities. Funding CB16/10/00456; CB16/10/00477; 2025-GRIN-38408; TEC 2022-007; SBPLY/19/180501/000312; PI031558; PI07/90637; PI07/90306; RD 06/0013; PI18/00972; SBPLY/23/180225/000155; JDC2023-052593-I; FPU22/04260. Reference Alcazar J et al. Experimental Gerontology. 2018;112:38–43.
Read CV Miguel Sierra RamonECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH01
INTRODUCTION: Aging and obesity frequently coexist and, when combined with sarcopenia, are major risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Resistance exercise training (RET) increases muscle mass, but traditional heavy-load RET can be impractical for older adults. Lighter-load RET offers a safer, more accessible alternative, which when combined with sufficient protein intake supports exercise-induced muscle gains. While high-quality proteins such as whey enhance muscle responses to exercise, the role of protein quality to support muscle adaptation in older adults with overweight/obesity is unknown. We examined the effects of lighter-load RET combined with twice-daily protein supplementation with whey (WHEY) or collagen (COLL) on body composition and glycemic control in older adults with overweight/obesity. We hypothesized that RET would improve body composition and glycemic control, with WHEY providing greater benefits than COLL. METHODS: Sixty-seven older (68 +/- 5 y; BMI 29.8 +/- 3.9 kg/m2) males and females participated in a 12-week lighter-load RET program (3 sessions/week) with twice daily 25g WHEY (n=35) or COLL (n=32). Body composition was assessed by DXA, and glycemic control was assessed by oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). RESULTS: Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for lean mass, body fat percentage, and fat mass (p<0.05). Lean mass increased in WHEY (1.3 +/- 1.2 kg; p<0.0001), but to a lesser extent in COLL (0.2 +/- 1.2 kg; p=0.013). Body fat percentage decreased significantly in WHEY (-1.2 +/- 1.3%; p<0.0001), but not in COLL (-0.5 +/- 1.1%; p=0.095). Fat mass decreased significantly in WHEY (-0.9 +/- 1.4 kg; p<0.0001), but not in COL (-0.7 +/- 1.3 kg; p=0.14). We observed a main effect of time for both visceral fat mass (-104 +/- 209 g; p<0.001) and fasting glucose (-0.14 +/- 0.50 mmol/L; p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Lighter-load RET combined with protein supplementation increased lean mass, decreased visceral fat, and improved glycemic regulation in older adults with overweight/obesity. Higher quality protein supplements, WHEY, were more effective for enhancing lean mass gains and supporting fat loss during lighter-load RET, ultimately enhancing body composition. Glycemic regulation improved with RET regardless of protein supplement.
Read CV Caroline LowiszECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH01
INTRODUCTION: The growing older adult population faces elevated risks of abdominal obesity, a condition linked to metabolic disease. The 5:2 intermittent fasting diet offers comparable efficacy to daily caloric restriction with potentially better adherence. Furthermore, multicomponent structured exercise (MSE) promotes fat loss while countering sarcopenia and enhancing physical stability. Dietary-only weight loss in older adults often reduces both fat and muscle mass, potentially exacerbating sarcopenia and frailty. Integrating exercise is therefore essential to preserve muscle and physical function. This randomized controlled trial examined the individual and combined effects of the 5:2 diet and MSE on body composition in older adults with abdominal obesity. METHODS: A total of 80 (20 per group) physical inactive older adults (aged 60–75) with abdominal obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, waist circumference >80 cm for women and >90 cm for men) were randomly allocated to one of four groups for a 14-week intervention: (1) 5:2 diet group, restricting energy intake to 500–600 kcal on two non-consecutive days per week; (2) MSE group, performing 70-minute training sessions on three non-consecutive days per week; (3) Combined group (5:2 diet + MSE); and (4) Control group. The primary outcomes were body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), muscle mass percentage. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), body fat (BF), body fat percentage (BF%), and muscle mass. Linear mixed-effects models were used to do the data analysis. RESULTS: Eighty participants completed the 14-week interventions. Compared to the 5:2 diet, MSE, and control groups, the combined group achieved greater reductions in BW, BMI, BF%, and BF, along with a greater increase in muscle mass percentage (all p < 0.001). WC decreased more in the combined group versus all other three groups (all p < 0.05). HC reduction in the combined group was greater compared to the 5:2 and control groups (both p < 0.05), but not versus the MSE group (p = 0.248). For the combined and the 5:2 diet groups, significant decreases were observed in BW (-2.71 kg and -1.69 kg, respectively; both p < 0.001) and BMI (-1.06 kg/m2 and - 0.68 kg/m2, respectively; both p < 0.001), but not in the MSE group (-0.08 kg/m2, p > 0.05). Significant reductions in BF% (-1.89%), BF (-2.30 kg), and significant increase in muscle mass percentage (1.88%) were observed exclusively in the combined group (all p < 0.001), while a significant decrease in muscle mass was found solely in the 5:2 diet group (-0.93 kg) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that, for physical inactive older adults with abdominal obesity, a combination of a 5:2 diet and MSE yields superior reductions in body weight and improvements in body composition than either intervention alone. Notably, the combined regimen appears to preserve muscle mass while effectively reducing body fat, whereas the 5:2 diet alone may lead to muscle loss in this population.
Read CV Haiqin ZHANGECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH01