Projects / Programmes
The effect of exercise with variable load on skeletal muscle in older adults: A randomized crossover trial
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.00 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B580 |
Biomedical sciences |
Skeleton, muscle system, rheumatology locomotion |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Aging; metabolic syndrome; muscle function; muscle fibers; exercise
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
50436 |
PhD Damir Zubac |
Sport |
Head |
2018 - 2020 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Scientific background and research objectives: Human aging is characterized by an accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, which leads to a reduced functional capacity and an increased likelihood of falling and frailty. The development of these detrimental changes results in a loss of independence and reduction in the quality of life in elderly. This is also true at both the individual and societal level, as increasing financial demands on the healthcare system may compromise its capacity to cope with these issues in the future. Muscle wasting is a result of mainly loss of fast twitch motor units, where males loose about 30% until the age of 80 years while females about 15%. Importantly, it seems that existing exercise regimes are not appropriate for the maintenance of muscle function and sustainable quality of life in aging population. Resistance training (RT) is identified as an appropriate training for maintaining muscle mass and not necessarily function; therefore recent studies recommend higher intensities (power or high-velocity trainings) for activation of fast twitch motor units and for fall prevention. Although power training could be implemented in older the doubt in safety of such exercises remains. We have co-developed a new of robotic exercise machine where exercise load and velocity could be regulated to such a measure that safety could be met. Thus, the aim of this research proposal is to examine whether this novel robotic machine, that provides a variable load RT program, is capable to tackle excessive aging muscle atrophy and contractile capacity decline. Secondly, we plan to examine whether these potential gains in muscle mass and power could be translated into functional capacity improvement in elderly.
Survey of the relevant literature: Current data suggest a dramatic loss in type II fibers with aging, and it is well established that this fiber type activation plays a vital role in the rapid force production capacity which is important to counter the unexpected perturbations during walking and aid in avoiding falls. Thus, RT strategies are outlined as a viable tool to tackle age-related degenerative changes in muscle function and force production. However, this has been challenged. Walker and co-workers (2015, 2017) suggested for 8-12 week exposure to moderate load RT as ineffective to enhance either power or functional capacity of muscles in elderly. Thus, there is a crucial need to revisit current RT strategies and design novel protocols to counter the detrimental effects of aging, especially due to strong impactions on quality of life with aging. Accordingly, we propose a novel variable RT, conducted on a novel robotic dynamometry machine. We hypothesize that this variable RT will be a viable tool to tackle aging muscle atrophy, presumably via additional type II muscle fiber recruitment. This would than govern the current fall prevention strategies and improve functional capacity in elderly.
Detailed description of the research project; We plan to recruit volunteers (age )65) from the Primorska region. Exclusion and inclusion criteria will be applied (including extensive health examination) and those applicants remaining will be allocated into three groups (variable RT, classical RT and controls), in a randomized counter-balance crossover design with a 2x washout period. All participants will be submitted to eight consecutive weeks of both classical and variable RT protocols. Data collection will be carried out on 11 separate occasions, including familiarization, pilot testing, and main portion data collection pre and after each condition.
Potential impact: We plan to use novel instrumentation in attempt to tackle aging of skeletal muscle (atrophy and function). Based on the new findings, we could develop protocols aiming at reducing health risks in aging population. In case our hypotheses are confirmed, we may offer important information to the healthcare system, especially for reducing e
Significance for science
In this research proposal we plan to overcome present issue of inappropriate resistance training (RT) exercise protocols that are currently prescribed for elderly. We aim to co-develop a novel exercise concept, aiming to maintaining muscle mass and function via computerized dynamometry machine. Accordingly, this novel exercise approach is structured around prescribed variable robotically adjusted load, ideal to enhance to muscle mass and function, and in the same time safe for elderly population. Preliminary findings highlight this type of exercise as potently more beneficial than classical RT, in improving muscle function (e.g., gait and balance), muscle power and additional fast twitch motor unit activation. The underlying assumption here is that the variable load RT would be translated into a greater muscle strength output, improve balance and lower the likelihood of frailty in elderly. This could lead to a greater independence and improvement in the quality of life in aged population. Subsequently, this would also decrease financial demands on the healthcare system and enhance its capacity to cope with the aforementioned issues in the future.
We also plan to validate a novel electromehanical efficiency (EME) sensor, recently shown to be reliable by (Paravlic et al., 2017). This represents an extension of Tensiomyography, a largely cited scientific method, that nowadays combines the TMG evoked twitches and M-wave recordings to determine the electromechanical efficiency of superficial skeletal muscles. Further development of this sensor may provide a better insight into muscle functioning, and potentially applied into clinical settings, to track for muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. Therefore, in the proposed research, we want to examine whether this computerized variable load RT is able to counter the detrimental effects muscle aging than classical RT. In addition, our plan is to accomplish the aforementioned research objectives in cooperation with domestic and foreign partners, which will contribute to the publicity of research achievements and further enhance the academic credentials of the Institute for Kinesiology research at the ZRS Koper. For many years researches from ZRS Koper are conducting state-of the art investigations looking at different aspects of human aging, physical inactivity, space physiology, motor performance and occupation ability.
Importantly, in case our hypotheses are confirmed, we may offer important information to the healthcare system for reducing economic burden. Also, we aim to ensure a bigger breakthrough in the fields of muscle aging, diagnostics of adaptation to variable load training, diseases, sarcopenia classification. In addition, we will attempt to bridge the gap between science and practice by translating our findings into practical and useful terms. Based on the amount of work we plan to publish at least three master theses, and arguably a PhD in this area, alongside with several SCI publications.
Significance for the country
In this research proposal we plan to overcome present issue of inappropriate resistance training (RT) exercise protocols that are currently prescribed for elderly. We aim to co-develop a novel exercise concept, aiming to maintaining muscle mass and function via computerized dynamometry machine. Accordingly, this novel exercise approach is structured around prescribed variable robotically adjusted load, ideal to enhance to muscle mass and function, and in the same time safe for elderly population. Preliminary findings highlight this type of exercise as potently more beneficial than classical RT, in improving muscle function (e.g., gait and balance), muscle power and additional fast twitch motor unit activation. The underlying assumption here is that the variable load RT would be translated into a greater muscle strength output, improve balance and lower the likelihood of frailty in elderly. This could lead to a greater independence and improvement in the quality of life in aged population. Subsequently, this would also decrease financial demands on the healthcare system and enhance its capacity to cope with the aforementioned issues in the future.
We also plan to validate a novel electromehanical efficiency (EME) sensor, recently shown to be reliable by (Paravlic et al., 2017). This represents an extension of Tensiomyography, a largely cited scientific method, that nowadays combines the TMG evoked twitches and M-wave recordings to determine the electromechanical efficiency of superficial skeletal muscles. Further development of this sensor may provide a better insight into muscle functioning, and potentially applied into clinical settings, to track for muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. Therefore, in the proposed research, we want to examine whether this computerized variable load RT is able to counter the detrimental effects muscle aging than classical RT. In addition, our plan is to accomplish the aforementioned research objectives in cooperation with domestic and foreign partners, which will contribute to the publicity of research achievements and further enhance the academic credentials of the Institute for Kinesiology research at the ZRS Koper. For many years researches from ZRS Koper are conducting state-of the art investigations looking at different aspects of human aging, physical inactivity, space physiology, motor performance and occupation ability.
Importantly, in case our hypotheses are confirmed, we may offer important information to the healthcare system for reducing economic burden. Also, we aim to ensure a bigger breakthrough in the fields of muscle aging, diagnostics of adaptation to variable load training, diseases, sarcopenia classification. In addition, we will attempt to bridge the gap between science and practice by translating our findings into practical and useful terms. Based on the amount of work we plan to publish at least three master theses, and arguably a PhD in this area, alongside with several SCI publications.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
