Author(s): WANG, S., WEN, H.J., CHEN, Y.Z., YANG, H.W., Institution: TZU CHI UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 2341

INTRODUCTION:
Sarcopenia is an age-related skeletal muscle disorder associated with increased risks of falls, disability, mortality, and cognitive decline. Exercise and nutritional interventions are recognized as effective strategies for enhancing muscle mass, strength, and physical function in individuals with sarcopenia. However, evidence regarding their neural correlates in sarcopenic populations remains limited. This study examined the effects of exercise and protein supplementation on electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers in older adults with sarcopenic overweight.
METHODS:
Fifty-six women aged 50–85 years with sarcopenic overweight defined according to AWGS 2019 criteria were randomized into four groups: aerobics and resistance concurrent training (N=20), concurrent training plus protein supplementation (N=14), protein supplementation only (N=7), and control (N=13).
The intervention lasted 3 months. Resting-state EEG (eyes-open and eyes-closed) was recorded pre- and post-intervention using a 64-channel system. EEG data were preprocessed to remove eye-movement artifacts. Relative power in delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), and beta (13–30 Hz) bands was calculated. Nonlinear neural dynamics were assessed using Tsallis entropy (TsEn). Statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA or ART ANOVA when normality assumption fails.

RESULTS:
In the eyes-closed state, EEG revealed a significant group difference in the magnitude of theta power change, with the exercise groups showing a smaller post–pre difference (p=0.02), suggesting potential cognitive benefit. These groups also exhibited an increased delta ratio (p=0.01). No significant exercise or protein effects were observed in the eyes-open state. In eyes-close condition, TsEn analysis indicated that, the magnitude of change differed significantly between groups, with the concurrent training exercise group exhibiting a markedly larger post-pre difference compared to the non-exercise group (p=0.04). In eyes-open condition, a significant increased complexity was observed in the exercise plus protein supplementation group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Exercise intervention induces frequency changes in EEG activity and enhances neural signal complexity in women with potential sarcopenic overweight. Protein supplementation may further potentiate exercise-related increases in EEG complexity. These findings suggest that the benefit from exercise in this at-risk population is not only in the physical but also cognitive aspects. (Supported by NSTC 112-2410-H-320-001-MY2, Taiwan)