Whole-body electromyostimulation and protein supplementation favorably affect sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older men at risk: the randomized controlled FranSO study

Kemmler W, Weißenfels A, Teschler M, Willert S, Bebenek M, Shojaa M, Kohl M, Freiberger E, Sieber C, von Stengel S (2017)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Publisher: DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: 1503-1513

DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S137987

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the disproportion between the amount of lean mass and fat mass. Exercise decreases fat and maintains muscle mass; however, older people fail to exercise at doses sufficient to affect musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), a time-efficient, joint-friendly and highly individualized exercise technology, on sarcopenia and SO in older men.Materials and methods: A total of 100 community-dwelling northern Bavarian men aged >= 70 years with sarcopenia and obesity were randomly (1-1-1) assigned to either 16 weeks of 1) WB-EMS and protein supplementation (WB-EMS&P), 2) isolated protein supplementation or 3) nonintervention control. WB-EMS consisted of 1.5x20 min (85 Hz, 350 mu s, 4 s of strain to 4 s of rest) applied with moderate-to-high intensity while moving. We further generated a daily protein intake of 1.7-1.8 g/kg/body mass per day. The primary study end point was Sarcopenia Z-Score, and the secondary study end points were body fat rate (%), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip strength.Results: Intention-to-treat analysis determined a significantly favorable effect of WB-EMS&P (P < 0.001) and protein (P=0.007) vs control. Both groups significantly (P < 0.001) lost body fat (WB-EMS&P: 2.1%; protein: 1.1%) and differed significantly (P<0.004) from control (0.3%). Differences between WB-EMS&P and protein were significant for the Sarcopenia Z-Score (P=0.39) and borderline nonsignificant (P=0.051) for body fat. SMI increased significantly in both groups (P, 0.001 and P=0.043) and decreased significantly in the control group (CG; P=0.033); differences between the verum groups and control were significant (P <= 0.009). Handgrip strength increased in the WB-EMS group (1.90 kg; P < 0.001; P=0.050 vs control) only. No adverse effects of WB-EMS or protein supplementation were recorded.Conclusion: WB-EMS&P is a safe and efficient method for tackling sarcopenia and SO in older men. However, the suboptimum effect on functional parameters should be addressed by increased voluntary activation during WB-EMS application.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Hochschule Furtwangen Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Kemmler, W., Weißenfels, A., Teschler, M., Willert, S., Bebenek, M., Shojaa, M.,... von Stengel, S. (2017). Whole-body electromyostimulation and protein supplementation favorably affect sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older men at risk: the randomized controlled FranSO study. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 12, 1503-1513. https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S137987

MLA:

Kemmler, Wolfgang, et al. "Whole-body electromyostimulation and protein supplementation favorably affect sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older men at risk: the randomized controlled FranSO study." Clinical Interventions in Aging 12 (2017): 1503-1513.

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