Abstract
Sarcopenia attenuates independence and mobility in older adults, and scalable nonpharmacological interventions are needed. This trial evaluated whether a 12-week exercise program improves activities of daily living, muscle mass and strength, physical performance, and systemic inflammation in older adults with sarcopenia. In this 12-week randomized controlled trial, adults aged 60–75 years with sarcopenia were randomized 1:1 to a control group or an exercise group. The exercise group performed postprandial multicomponent training (37 min/session, 3 days/week), combining resistance and aerobic exercise. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at week 12. The primary endpoint was the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Secondary endpoints were Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMI), handgrip strength, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Of 224 enrolled participants, 120 were randomized and 94 were analyzed (control, n = 49; exercise, n = 45). At week 12, the exercise group showed higher MBI (68.89 ± 9.60 vs. 62.02 ± 10.35; p = 0.001), ASMI (6.074 ± 0.904 vs. 5.295 ± 0.739 kg/m2; p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (22.78 ± 5.02 vs. 19.95 ± 4.25 kg; p = 0.009); better 6MWT (395.6 ± 55.6 vs. 363.7 ± 53.8 minutes; p = 0.005), shorter TUGT (6.76 ± 1.41 vs. 7.66 ± 1.55 seconds; p = 0.005), and lower IL-6 (45.21 ± 10.66 vs. 53.73 ± 10.99 pg/mL; p < 0.001) and TNF-α (38.09 ± 8.64 vs. 45.45 ± 8.07 pg/mL; p < 0.001) compared with the control group. These findings suggested that a 12-week regular exercise program improved functional independence, muscle health, mobility, and inflammatory status in older adults with sarcopenia.
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