Liverpool Hope Logo Liverpool Hope Logo
Liverpool Hope Logo

Sarcopenia Ageing Trial

Sarcopenia Ageing Trial

The Multidimensional Effect of Exercise and Nutritional Interventions on Musculoskeletal Function, Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Age-Related Sarcopenia

Short Title: Exercise and Nutrition Interventions in Age-related Sarcopenia

With ever-increasing life expectancy among older adults, Sarcopenia; the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical functioning, has received growing research attention. The ageing process of muscle, affects human function through loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and power and hence reducing the functional capacity of older individuals. This limits the ability of performing everyday tasks such as stair climbing, chair rising, and carrying groceries leading to markedly diminished quality of life. In addition, the age-related decline in physical functioning is associated with debilitating health issues in terms of disability, morbidity and mortality. Hence, sarcopenia places an ever-growing financial burden on the community services, NHS in particular. Of various interventions suggested for combating sarcopenia, limited existing evidence only supports exercise- and nutrition-related remedies. Hence, the objective of this study is to generate a comprehensive understanding of multidimensional health benefits of selected exercise and nutrition interventions on musculoskeletal function, nutritional status and quality of life in elderly adults.

This randomised, controlled trial will be conducted in the new laboratories of School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, and recruiting healthy older adults (>60 yrs) from the community. An array of measurements will be used to evaluate key components of physical, psychological, nutritional, metabolic and health-related quality of life factors, before and after, either individual or combined exercise and nutrition interventions. Key measurements will include body composition, physical performance, nutritional status, metabolic biomarkers, cardiovascular health, functional capacity and fitness level, muscles strength and power, muscle fatigue, mental status, and quality of life. All above measures are frequently and safely used within the research setting with minimal discomfort and risk. The study aims to produce compelling evidence of the multidimensional health benefits of exercise and nutrition on sarcopenia; to healthy ageing and enhance quality of life among the ageing population.