Aging Clin Exp Res. 2025 Feb 6;37(1):36. doi: 10.1007/s40520-025-02935-7.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low physical activity is a major risk for sarcopenia. Whether training according to physical activity guidelines accompanied with cognitive training is effective on sarcopenia, remains unclear.
AIMS: We investigated whether the effects of 12-month physical and cognitive training (PTCT) and physical training (PT) on grip and knee extension strength, muscle mass, and walking speed differed between older adults with and without sarcopenia.
METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults (N = 314, mean age 74.5 ± 3.8 years, 60% women) who did not meet physical activity guidelines were randomized to PTCT and PT groups. PT for both groups included supervised and home-based multicomponent physical training. Cognitive training (CT) included computer-based exercises for executive functioning. Sarcopenia was determined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2019 criteria. Generalized estimation equation analysis were conducted.
RESULTS: Compared to PT, PTCT had no additive effect on strength, muscle mass, or walking speed in participants with or without sarcopenia. In pooled data (PT + PTCT) change in the grip strength was greater in sarcopenia (n = 49) group compared to non-sarcopenia (n = 264) group (interaction, p =.014). Both groups improved knee extension strength, and walking speed, but no statistically significant difference between the groups were observed. Muscle mass did not change in either group.
CONCLUSION: Physical training according to physical activity recommendations improves muscle strength, walking speed, and maintains muscle mass in sarcopenia. Additional cognitive training had no benefits on these outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN52388040 and date of registration 20/1/2017.
PMID:39913030 | DOI:10.1007/s40520-025-02935-7
