Frontiers in Physiology (Jul 2023)

The effects of community-based exercise modalities and volume on musculoskeletal health and functions in elderly people

  • Chin Leong Lim,
  • Nicholas Ling Swee Keong,
  • Margaret Mei Chan Yap,
  • Alvin Wai Kit Tan,
  • Cher Heng Tan,
  • Cher Heng Tan,
  • Wee Shiong Lim,
  • Wee Shiong Lim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1227502
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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The effects of different muscle loading exercise (MLEX) modes and volume on musculoskeletal health is not well-studied in older populations.Aim: Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of community-based MLEX modalities and volume on musculoskeletal health in elderly people.Methods: Elderly men (n = 86) and women (n = 170), age 50–82 years old, were assigned to the sedentary (SE, n = 60), muscle strengthening exercise (MSE, n = 71), aerobic exercise (AE, n = 62) and Tai Chi exercise (TCE, n = 63) groups, based on > 2 years of exercise history. Exercise volume was compared between “Minimum” (“Min” < 60 min/week), “Low” (60–120 min/week). “Moderate” (121–239 min/week) and “High” (240–720 min/week) volumes.Results: All three modes of MLEX were associated with lower percentage of body fat (BF%) and higher percentage of lean body mass (LBM%, p = 0.003 main effect of group, and p = 0.002 main effect of volume for both BF% and LBM%), but not with higher bone mineral density (BMD, total body, lumbar spine, total hip and neck of femur), than SE. TCE had a distinct advantage in trunk flexibility (p = 0.007 with MSE, p = 0.02 with AE, and p = 0.01 with SE), and both TCE (p = 0.03) and AE (p = 0.03) performed better than SE in the one-leg stand balance test. Isometric strength and throwing speed and peak power with a 2 kg power ball were higher in the MLEX than SE groups (p = 0.01), in the ranking order of MSE, AE and TCE. However, there was no difference in handgrip strength performance between the MLEX groups, which performed better than the SE participants. Accumulating >120 min/week of MLEX can promote body composition health and muscle functions, but 60 min/week of MSE alone may have equal or better outcomes in these parameters.Conclusion: Community-based MLEX classes may be used to mitigate age-related chronic disease that are associated with body composition and muscular functions.

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