Effect of 8 weeks of Suspension TRX training on growth factors in sarcopenic elderly

Abstract

A review of recent statistics shows that the population of the elderly over 65 years is increasing in Iran and the world. Muscle loss is one of the problems that older people are faced with and it is called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia has harmful health consequences, including physical disability, poor quality of life, and death. Researches have shown that one of the best ways to treat sarcopenia is to do exercises. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of TRX training on serum levels of growth factors in the elderly with sarcopenia. The present study was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest design. The statistical population of the present study consisted of inactive elderly men (65 to 82 years), of which 16 inactive elderly people who were eligible to participate in the study volunteered and were randomly divided into two groups of exercise (n=8) and Controls (n = 8). At first, subjects were informed with complete explanations of the research process and they completed the consent form in the research. First, anthropometric and body composition indices such as height, weight, body mass index and muscle mass were measured and recorded. Fasting blood samples were measured and recorded 48 hours before and after the training intervention. Subjects performed TRX resistance training for eight weeks. For statistical analysis, SPSS software version 21 and analysis of covariance were used. The results of the present study showed a significant decrease in serum levels of myostatin and a significant increase in serum levels of follistatin and GDF-15 in the exercise group. However, the amount of muscle mass after training did not change significantly. The measurements showed that after eight weeks of training, the functional factors of gait speed, timed up and go test (TUG) and chair test were significantly improved in comparison between the groups. In general, according to the findings of the present study on the improvement of growth factors and functional tests, it can be said that TRX resistance training in sarcopenic men plays an important role in the prevention and improvement of sarcopenia.